Joe Thurston (a.k.a. Joey Ballgame) played baseball for the Panthers in 1998 and 1999 and won back-to-back State Championships, as well as being named National Champions in 1998 by Baseball America.  He helped compile an overall record of 86 wins, 9 losses and 1 tie during his career at SCC.  He was a 2-time All-Conference Selection, 2-time All-State Selection, 2-time All-American and 2-time State Batting Champ.  He delivered the game-winning hit in the 1999 State Championship game and was named the State Championship MVP.

Prior to coming to SCC, Joey Ballgame played at Vallejo High School and was a 2-time All-Monticello Empire League Selection, a 2-time All-City Selection, a 2-tiem All-Region Selection and the MVP of the 1997 North-South All Star game.  After Sac City, Thurston signed a professional contract to play baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and would be a 2-time Minor League Player of the Year Award winner for the Dodgers.  He led the minor leagues in total hits in 2002 and led the international league in hits in 2008.  He was named Player of the Month for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009 and was a 5-time Minor League All-Star.  He played in the 2011 Pan-Am games where he won a silver medal with Team USA and was voted the best second baseman of the games.  He is currently a Minor League Hitting Coach in the Seattle Mariners organization.

Thurston thanks his family for the support and providing him with a place to stay.  He also recognizes former SCC coaches, Jerry Weinstein for believing in him and sticking with him, and Andy McKay, for motivating him and keeping him honest at all times.  Joe thanks Donnie Mico for being a big brother and mentor, still to this day and his dad for not letting him attend Solano JC and pushing him to do more.  Lastly, his high school coach, Abe Hobbs for being the first one to show him what believing in myself can get me.