TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA) — Unity grad Blake Kimball is taking his talents to Carbondale for one more season of college baseball.

Kimball played the 2024 season at Southern Indiana, where he made 12 starts after beginning his college career at Indiana Kokomo. As a sophomore, he fully made the switch to pitcher after starting his career in the infield.

Ahead of his next stop in college, he offers advice to other small-town athletes hoping to earn an opportunity to play at the next level.

“I would say to every kid growing up in a smaller town, kind of a smaller school, work your butt off and you do the best to your abilities, you’re going to get picked up, someone will find you,” Kimball said. “Keep your head down, keep grinding, I know it’s harder coming from a smaller town, but there’s always hope.”

Kimball is playing summer baseball in North Carolina ahead of next season.

While at Unity, he was all-state in football, baseball and basketball.