THREE BLINN BASEBALL PLAYERS EARN ALL AMERICAN HONORS

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

Three Blinn College baseball players were recognized among the nation's best Wednesday as sophomores Dylan Thompson and Hudson Melaerts and freshman Zachary Tuxhorn earned NJCAA Division I All-American second-team honors.

Thompson earned All-America honors after putting together one of the top pitching seasons in the nation. The sophomore right-hander went 10-0 with a 2.29 earned-run average and a 1.14 WHIP across 66 2/3 innings while striking out 60 batters. He also tossed five complete games and one shutout in 11 starts.

Thompson elevated his play on the season's biggest stage, going 2-0 at the NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series and earning Pitcher of the Tournament honors.

Melaerts was recognized following a standout season at the back end of Blinn's bullpen. The sophomore appeared in 19 games and recorded nine saves while posting a 3.04 ERA across 23 2/3 innings. He struck out 44 batters while allowing just 12 hits and helped anchor a pitching staff that fueled the Bucs' postseason run.

Tuxhorn emerged as one of the nation's most productive hitters during his freshman campaign. The catcher started 61 games and batted .429 with a 1.257 OPS, 13 home runs, 17 doubles, 64 RBIs, and 79 runs scored.

He also posted a .553 on-base percentage and a .704 slugging percentage while collecting 87 hits and drawing 42 walks to help power one of the nation's most dangerous offenses.

Blinn baseball finished 49-14 overall while capturing a fourth consecutive Region 14 South regular-season championship, fourth consecutive Region 14 South Regional title, fourth consecutive Mid-South District crown, and fourth consecutive trip to the NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series. The Bucs advanced to the national championship game before finishing as the national runner-up to Johnson County Community College.