BLINN’S CHURCH WINS 900TH GAME

Blinn Buccaneer Head Softball Coach Rick Church reached another win milestone. On May 1, the Buccaneers defeated the Alvin Dolphins 3-1. That win was his 900th career win as head coach of the Buccaneers, which is a school record.

Church is in his 23rd season with the Blinn Softball Program, and is taking a team to the conference postseason tournament for the 20th time. The Bucs are currently 28-20 overall, and finished 4th in the Region XIV South Zone.

They will play Bossier Parish, who is hosting this year's tournament, in their first game on Friday at 5pm.

During his time at Blinn, Church has guided the Bucs to conference and regional titles in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. In 2003, they finished second at the National Championship Tournament.

Some of his other honors (courtesy of Buccaneersports.com.)

Church and assistant coach Jami Ingram were named the 2019 Region XIV Coaching Staff of the Year. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) honored Church and assistant coaches Jami Ingram and Jaymie Heibel by naming them the 2015 Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year. The NFCA honored Church and Ingram as the Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Church, Ingram, and assistant Haley Long were named Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year and were named the Region XIV Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Honors in 2009 included Region XIV Coach of the Year and NFCA Midwest Coaching Staff of the Year.

In 2017, Church was recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for earning his 800th victory. Church was awarded Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2004, while the 2003 season honors included Speedline/NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year, Midwest Coaching Staff of the Year and Region XIV Coach of the Year.