Born and raised in Waukesha, Jake started playing baseball at the age of five after his Grandma saw an ad in the newspaper for the Waukesha Blazers. Jake grew up on the ball diamond as a Blazer competing with and against current Rebels Derek Urban and Keith Koehn. Jake then went on to attend Waukesha North High School as a pitcher and infielder. While at the Purple Palace he played against the cross town rival Wolverines, coached by none other than Rebels manager Matt DeMarais. Post high school, Jake committed to Carroll University where he quickly became a PO after striking out looking four times in a fall Navy versus Orange game. While at Carroll, Jake was a key member of the bullpen and finished his career with the fourth most appearances in program history.

Although commonly mistaken for living the past life of Rebels teammate Matt Bauer, you will not find Jake in the court room, but rather as a judge in a second grade game of dodgeball. Jake is currently a physical educator in the Menomonee Falls school district and coaches high school basketball and baseball.