IOWA FALLS, IA – Kirk Clark will step up to the plate as the new head baseball coach for Ellsworth Community College, beginning with the 2022-23 season. Clark comes to Ellsworth from South Dakota State University, where he has spent the last season as pitching coach for the Jackrabbits. During his tenure at South Dakota State, Clark mentored second-team all-Summit League performer Drew Beazley.

As a staff, Jackrabbit pitchers combined to record 402 strikeouts in 384 innings. Notable newcomer Ryan Bourassa recorded 65 strikeouts in only 42 1/3 innings for the highest single-season rate of strikeouts per nine innings in program history at 13.8.

Clark previously spent six years as an assistant coach at Wayne State College (Neb.), where he served as the Wildcats' pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. During his time at WSC, the Wildcats posted four winning seasons, including a breakthrough 32-18 campaign in 2019.

Clark arrived at Wayne State after a professional playing career. He was signed as a free agent following the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft and went on to set a single-season record with 29 saves for Class A Lexington in his first full professional season in 2010, earning South Atlantic League All-Star recognition. During three-plus seasons in the Astros organization, which included two seasons with Lancaster of the Class A California League, he compiled a 14-11 record with 56 saves in 150 appearances.

He also played in various independent leagues, including pitching for the Sioux Falls Canaries (two seasons) and the Schaumburg Bombers in the American Association, as well as 2014 stint with the Quebec City Capitals.

Clark is well acquainted with the ICCAC. A native of Moline, Illinois, Clark began his collegiate playing career at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs before moving across the Missouri River to pitch for Creighton. He set the Iowa Western career record for wins with 17, helping lead the Reivers to the Junior College World Series in 2007. He was a first-team all-region selection after going 8-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 2007.

"I am excited to announce Kirk as our new head baseball coach at ECC. He has experience recruiting quality student athletes and has proven to develop and coach at a high level," said Nate Forsyth, Athletic Director for Ellsworth Community College.

For more information, contact Nate Forsyth at Nate.Forsyth@iavalley.edu or call 641-648-8516.

Ellsworth Community College, located in Iowa Falls, is a member of the Iowa Valley Community College District. The District is comprised of Ellsworth Community College, Marshalltown Community College, Iowa Valley Grinnell, and Iowa Valley Continuing Education. The District serves a broad range of students and businesses throughout Central Iowa. For more information, check out the website at ecc.iavalley.edu.

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