Jake Blackwell is giving McNeese a late-inning lefty with swing-and-miss bite
In the 2026 season, Jake Blackwell has been a valuable McNeese left-handed arm, posting a 3.18 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 28.1 innings and picking up saves in key spots, including a three-inning, five-strikeout finish in a May win over top-seeded Southeastern[2][3]. He fits the “trust him when it matters” mold: a 6-foot-3 southpaw who can miss bats, handle leverage, and has already shown he can win tight games against quality competition[1][3].
