Jackson Bessette Season 2026

BEFORE PURDUE
• Played his first three collegiate seasons (2023-25) at UIC on Chicago’s near West Side
• Two-year starting catcher, starting all 99 games in which he played across 2024 and 2025, while playing in 125 games overall
• Started games against Purdue at Alexander Field all three years
• .296/.412/.506 slash line with 47 XBH, 19 homers and 89 RBI across 429 career at-bats for the Flames
• Batted .319/.416/.521 with 12 doubles, eight homers and 49 runs scored in 2024
• Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference as a sophomore
• Connected for nine homers while driving in 35 runs and drawing 46 free passes (34 BB, 12 HBP) in 2025
• Established himself as a freshman with a .361/.427/.514 slash line in 72 at-bats
• Lit up Northwestern’s R&B Miller Park as a freshman, erupting for 10 total bases on a day he went 5-for-6 with two doubles, a home run, five RBI and five runs scored
• Enjoyed a multi-homer game at Alexander Field in March 2025
• Caught all 14 innings of UIC’s marathon win in the longest game in the history of Alexander Field in March 2024
• Drove in runs in the first and 14th innings of that game, with his last hit plating what proved to be the game-deciding run
• Also had a three-hit game against Purdue in a midweek game in Chicago in May 2023
• Recorded a four-hit game vs. Belmont in May 2025

HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Jim Kating at South Elgin High School in the western suburbs of Chicagoland
• Batted .511/.596/.909 with 18 doubles, 24 XBH and 30 RBI as a senior
• Played catcher and the outfield as the team MVP
• Aurora Beacon-News/Elgin Courier News All-Area as a senior
• Batted .346 with seven doubles and 14 RBI in 52 at-bats as a junior after sophomore season was canceled due to COVID-19
• Ranked as Illinois’ No. 16 catcher in his graduating class by Perfect Game
• Three-year honor roll student
• Also played travel ball for the Rake City club

PERSONAL
• Major: Management
• Full name is Jackson Leo Bessette
• Born in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
• Parents are Tim and Michele Bessette