First-year Blinn head coach Dusty Hart was named the region’s Coach of the Year, while Buccaneer freshman infielder Tanner Reaves was voted Offensive Player of the Year.
Reaves was also selected to the All-Region first-team. Other selections for Blinn were second-team honorees Ryan Scott (sophomore infielder) and freshmen Brandon Bishop (infield/outfield) and Jake Kolkhorst (outfield/pitcher).
The region accolades were awarded to teams from Region XIV’s North and South Zones.
Hart has led the Buccaneers to a 40-13 record this season, including a 26-9 mark in the Region XIV. Blinn captured its first conference championship since 2001 and is currently hosting the Region XIV South Regional tournament.
“For me, this award is just validation of our players, and one thing that doesn’t get mentioned very often is our assistant coaches; I’ve got a great staff,” Hart said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to the players; if we don’t win there is no coach of the year. I’m writing the names on paper, but the players have to go out and play, and they’ve worked hard for us this season.”
Reaves, who was named the South’s Player of the Year earlier this week, has been the Buccaneers’ bona fide offensive leader. His .408 batting average is tops on the team, as are his 87 hits, 19 doubles, 12 home runs, and 64 runs batted in.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman Tanner Reaves has been named the Region XIV Offensive Player of the Year)
“It is truly an honor, and it shows all of the hard work that I’ve put in,” the Louisiana State University commit said. “It feels great to be recognized for that hard work. You always just want to go out there and do the best you can to help your team win. It’s all about being selfless and playing for your teammates, and any success that comes from that approach is great.”
Scott is hitting .352 this season to go with 12 doubles, six homers, 28 RBIs, and 37 runs scored. He’s also drawn 47 walks and sports a team-high .556 on-base percentage. Kolkhorst is second on the Bucs with a .357 average. He has contributed seven doubles, a triple, a home run, 28 RBIs, and 28 runs to the Blinn offense. Bishop is hitting .352 and is second on the team with 52 hits, including 11 doubles, one triple, and four homers. The speedster is second on the team in runs scored with 65, has swiped 16 bases, and has 49 RBIs.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 43 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
