PERU, Neb.—Athletic Director Kyle Pond recently hired Blake Beaber to take over the Bobcat baseball program.
 
Beaber was most recently the head coach at Iowa Wesleyan University for the past six seasons from 2017-2023. During the 2022 season Beaber was named CAC Conference Coach of the Year. Additionally, In the fall of 2021, the Tigers transitioned from the NCAA Division III to NAIA.
 
This past season the Tigers played in 40 games with a record of 18-22 and a conference record of 4-5. They were 5-1 in their home park and 6-1 in neutral site games.
 
On the offensive side, Iowa Wesleyan scored 245 runs, 355 hits, 60 doubles, five triples, 17 home runs and 207 RBIs.  They had a batting average of .297 an on base percentage of .394 and a slugging percentage of .398. The Tigers drew 146 walks and stole 73 bags on the year.
 
Beaber held a roster of 70 players with a retention rate of 85 percent. Beaber also had duties in fundraising, gameday management for other sports while also teaching a seminar class and Economics 101.
 
Before becoming the head coach at Iowa Wesleyan, he was the assistant coach for the Tigers where he was the hitting and  third base coach, catchers and infield.
 
Beaber was the graduate assistant for the William Penn Statesmen from 2014-16. He spent time primarily coaching hitting, catching, infield and first base.
 
While at William Penn in his first year as the graduate assistant they had a 34-win season with an impressive 20-9 mark away from the home diamond.
 
He has also spent time at the NJCAA level as an assistant coach at Carl Sandburg College coaching catchers and outfield
 
Beaber was in the Army National Guard in Iowa and Wyoming from 2009-2015, graduated Basic Training and Army School of Infantry, he was deployed to Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom as a Team Leader.
 
Here is what Beaber had to say about his excitement to start as the new head coach of the Bobcat Baseball program:

"I'm excited for Peru State because of the energy on campus. Throughout the process, it has felt like home the whole time," said Beaber. "The people of Peru State have been great. Kyle Pond's vision for the athletic department moving forward and with Project Roar gives me confidence that we can do great things here."
 
Here is what Kyle Pond had to say about the hire:
 
"Blake is an exciting hire for us here in Peru. During his time in collegiate baseball, he has overcome a number of challenging situations and always found a way to rise to the top," said athletic director Kyle Pond. "His commitment to the student-athlete and a long-term vision has been apparent from our first meeting. Blake's experience and vision coupled with our addition of project ROAR and new resources are going to help us build a top baseball program here at Peru State."
 
Beaber will begin his duties effective immediately. Beaber is joined by his wife Amie and their two sons Louie and Augie and they plan to live in Auburn.
 
Peru State finished the 2023 with a record of 16-23 overall, 13-17 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.