Cougar Slugger Blake Mann Signs with St. Mary's College

Story and photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons power-hitting outfielder Blake Mann will head north to continue his collegiate career, having recently signed with St. Mary's College (SMC) after a one-year stint with the Cougars in 2020.

SMC is an NCAA Division I program located in Moraga, California. The Gaels compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC). 

Mann led the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) in 2020 with seven home runs during a shortened 19-game season that had to be suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The sophomore batted .372 with 23 RBIs, scored 22 runs and swiped three bags across 86 at-bats for Canyons.

His 22 runs scored led the Cougars and ranked second in the Western State Conference (WSC). Meanwhile his 23 RBIs ranked second on the squad and was the conference's No. 3 mark. The Chaminade High School graduate also posted a .406 on-base percentage and slugged .686 on the season.

Mann recorded hits in all but two contests in 2020, with nine multi-hit games. 

His top performance came on Feb. 8 when Mann clubbed five hits, including a home run and two doubles, and drove in four runs to help Canyons to an 18-4 home win vs. San Diego Mesa College. 

Mann was a key offensive catalyst on a Cougars lineup that posted a team batting average of .323. COC also scored 164 runs and hit 23 home runs to leads their conference in both categories. 

He will also take an associate degree to SMC after having recently graduated as a member of the College of the Canyons 50th Anniversary class.

Canyons played to an overall record of 7-11-1, including victories in the final four games of the year, all of which came against WSC, South Division opponents.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.