BUC PLAYERS EARN ALL-AMERICAN & ALL-REGION HONORS

Four Blinn College softball players earned All-America honors after leading the Buccaneers to a Region XIV Conference championship and a fifth-place finish at the NJCAA National Championship.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) named shortstop Delilah Pacheco and switch-hitting outfielder Meghann Wrinkle first team All-Americans, while pitcher Mariah Gibson was named to the NFCA second team and NJCAA second team. Pacheco was also named an NJCAA third-team All-American.

Gibson, Pacheco and Wrinkle were named to the NFCA All-Midwest Region first team while Jordin Wilkins was named third team.

“We had outfielders, infielders and a pitcher recognized, so that is pretty good representation,” said coach Rick Church. “We are glad those kids received that recognition.”

A sophomore from Corpus Christi, Pacheco led the team in hits (89), runs (64) and at-bats (220). She finished with a .405 batting average and was hard to catch on the base paths with 49 stolen bases on the year.

Wrinkle, a freshman from Rockdale, hit .400 with seven doubles, three home runs and 28 runs batted in.

A sophomore from Cypress, Gibson went 25-9 in 233 in the circle. She piled up 192 strikeouts while maintaining a 1.23 ERA. Gibson was no novice with the bat, as she hit .338 and led the team with 10 home runs.

Wilkins, a freshman infielder from Katy, finished the season with a .316 average and her seven home runs were the most by the team’s freshmen. Wilkins ripped 13 doubles and added 35 RBIs on the year.

Blinn placed fifth at the NJCAA National Championships and wrapped up the year with a 45-16 record.

For more information, visit: www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story courtesy: Jake Gordon, Blinn Information)