BUCS JUMP TO #9 IN NJCAA RANKINGS
Buccaneers went 10-3 vs. top 20 teams to open season
The Blinn softball team may not have garnered any preseason recognition, but the Buccaneers have made a statement early on against the nation’s best teams.
Blinn jumped to No. 9 in the NJCAA rankings Wednesday after opening the season unranked in the preseason poll.
Through 24 games, the Bucs have amassed an 18-6 record, including a 10-3 mark against teams ranked in the top 20 of the NJCAA preseason poll. Blinn was 2-1 against previously top-ranked Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.) and 12th-ranked Iowa Western. The Bucs also had wins over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (third), Butler (sixth), Odessa (10th), Navarro (13th) and two wins over now top-ranked McLennan Community College.
The Blinn offense features five players batting .353 or better, with sophomore Peyton Webb leading the way with a .410 batting average. Webb has 32 hits in 78 at-bats, with 24 runs scored and 23 RBI.
Webb was previously named the Region XIV Conference Player of the Week Feb. 16-22.
Freshman Jaiden Rawls has been dominant in the pitching circle. Rawls has throw 95 innings, allowed 30 earned runs, 95 hits and has struck out 63.
Rawls was named the NFCA Leadoff Classic MVP after the Bucs finished the tournament with a 4-1 mark and a trip to the semifinals.
Blinn returns to action with a road doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. against Lamar State-Port Arthur.
For more information on Blinn softball, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
(Story & photos courtesy: Matt Keyser, Blinn Information)