pictured is Jake Bartley, picture courtesy of Brad Anderson of the Abilene Reflector Chronicle
Abilene, All-State baseball standout, Jake Bartley, is the latest Cowboy to commit to Cloud County Community College in Concordia. Most recently, 2024 Abilene High School graduates, Stocton Timbrook and Zach Miller helped Cloud County reached unprecedented heights the last two seasons. In 2025, the Thunderbirds finished 48-17, 25-7 and reached the Region 6 Plains Final for the first time in school history. This spring, Cloud County went 50-7, 28-4 and won the KJCCC West Division Championship for the first time. The Thunderbirds also peaked at #2 in the National Rankings. Timbrook, has now taken his talents to Kansas State to play baseball.
In Bartley, the Thunderbirds will receive one of the top players in the State. Bartley has started three seasons at Abilene and has performed at a high level since he stepped foot on Ted Power Field. Bartley has also helped Abilene become a 4A power on the Diamond. In 2024, his Freshman season, at Abilene, the Cowboys finished 24-3, 10-0 and earned a 3rd Place finish at State, which was the highest placing in school history. In 2025, the Cowboys finished 16-11, 6-6 and returned to State. Last season, Abilene finished 8-15, 2-10, in a season that was impacted by injuries.
Accomplishments and Honors:
Jake Freshman year 2024:
All League NCKL 1st Team Infield
Sports In Kansas 4A All State-Honorable Mention
Jake Sophomore year 2025:
KABC 4A All State 1st Base
Sports In Kansas 4A All State Infield
PBR Kansas 1st Team All State (all classes)
All League NCKL 1st Team Infield
Jake Junior year 2026
KABC 4A All State 1st Base
Sports In Kansas 4A All State Infield
All League NCKL 1st Team Infield
Hitting
| BA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | |
| 2026 | .528 | 38 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 18 |
| 2025 | .442 | 42 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 44 |
| 2024 | .403 | 31 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 24 |
| .457 | 111 | 24 | 7 | 6 | 86 | |
Pitching
| IP | W-L | SO | ERA | BAA | |
| 2026 | 46 | 2-4 | 74 | 3.8 | .213 |
| 2025 | 38 | 3-3 | 33 | 4.42 | .248 |
| 2024 | 23.2 | 2-1 | 32 | 5.02 | .240 |
| 107.2 | 7-8 | 139 | 4.41 | 0.233 | |
Cloud County is led by Eric Gilliland, who has been the Head Coach since 2016. Under his leadership, the Thunderbirds have become consistent winners in the KJCCC. He is currently the all-time winningest coach in school history with 348 victories.
“The culture of cloud felt like where I was meant to be,” said Bartley. “I also chose Cloud because I knew it was the right place to take me to the highest level after cloud. I trust coach Gilliland and the program that he is building and what it has already become. I’m excited to be a part of Cloud baseball.”
Bartley’s Abilene career is not finished. The Senior will compete this winter in basketball and baseball next spring for the Cowboys.
