NINE BUC SOFTBALL PLAYERS NAMED ALL-CONFERENCE

Blinn will open the Region XIV Tournament on Saturday

Nine Blinn College softball players earned Region XIV all-conference honors prior to the opening of the Region XIV Tournament.

Seven Buccaneers were named first-team all-conference and two were named to the second team.

First-team honors went to pitcher Colleen Bentke (Brenham), catcher Calli Birch (Maple Ridge, British Columbia), infielders Shelby Achille (Alvin) and Emily Noah (Midlothian), outfielders Nicole Garcia (Sugar Land) and Morgan Gray (Houston), and utility player Amy Alexander (Alvin).

Infielder Gabriela Gomez (Bloomington, Calif.) and outfielder Kalli Edwards (Vidor) were named second-team all-conference.

Bentke finished the regular season with a 19-4 record in the circle with 127 strikeouts. Birch hit for a .352 average and brought in 18 runs. Achille was second on the team with 68 hits and led the team with 48 RBIs, while Noah led the team with five home runs and was second with 47 RBIs.

Garcia led the Buccaneers with 73 hits and brought in 32 runs. Gray maintained a .424 batting average and led the team with 17 stolen bases. Alexander posted a .362 batting average and had 25 RBIs.

Gomez posted an average of .344 and was third on the team with 15 doubles while Edwards was third on the team with 66 hits and hit for a .395 batting average.

Blinn finished the regular season with a 35-15 overall record and finished in a tie for first place in the Region XIV South with a 19-5 league record. The Buccaneers will open the Region XIV Tournament on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. with a first-round game against Kilgore College in Lufkin.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.