The ninth-ranked Blinn College baseball team has raked in Region XIV South Zone all-conference awards, which were announced Monday by the region.
Two of the top honors among the list of awards again went to Blinn, as head coach Dusty Hart earned his second consecutive Region XIV South Zone Coach of the Year nod, while sophomore infielder Connor McGinnis was tabbed the co-Player of the Year.
The Buccaneers also landed seven players on the first-team all-conference list and one on the second-team. McGinnis; sophomore pitcher Jake Kolkhorst; sophomore third baseman Cade Climie; sophomore outfielder Tanner Reaves; sophomore outfielder Marshall Lipsey; freshman designated hitter Caden Ferraro; and freshman pitcher Lucas Davenport earned first-team nods while sophomore pitcher Bryson Dudley made the second team.
“It’s always nice to be recognized for what you’ve done throughout the year,” Hart said. “Being named all-conference means a lot of hard work has paid off for you. It’s definitely something these kids will appreciate more and more as they get older.”
Hart has led the Buccaneers to a 37-14 overall record and the South regular-season title with a 29-6 mark. The South championship is Blinn’s second in a row and gives the team home-field advantage in the Region XIV South Regional Tournament for a second consecutive season.
In his two seasons as coach of the Bucs, Hart owns an impressive 83-29 record.
(Pictured: Blinn head baseball coach Dusty Hart surveys the field before a game against Alvin College on April 29, 2024)
“If you have a bunch of good players who play well, you’re going to win a bunch of ballgames,” Hart said. “There is no coach of the year without good players. I need to tell our players and our assistants thank you, to be honest with you, because it’s never about one guy – player or coach. It’s definitely a team effort, and this is a team award as much if not more than it is a coaching award.”
McGinnis shared the co-Player of the Year award with San Jacinto College-North catcher Jake Bennett. The award went to a Buccaneer for the second time in as many seasons after Reaves claimed the honor in 2023.
After missing 2023 with an injury, McGinnis – who is committed to the University of Houston – has shined in his final season of junior college ball. The second baseman owns team-highs in batting average and on-base percentage (OBP) at .392 and .571, respectively, to go with the co-team lead in home runs (14). He also has 11 doubles and a pair of triples. McGinnis has driven in 42 runs while scoring a team-best 65.
“This is awesome,” McGinnis said. “It feels like it was just yesterday that I wasn’t playing ball, so it’s just great to be back and playing well again. I’m excited for myself and my teammates … they’re all great ballplayers … and I’m even more excited for what’s to come for us.”
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore Connor McGinnis watches a home run fly during a game against McLennan on Feb. 18, 2024)
Kolkhorst, a Baylor University commit, is now a two-time first-team all-conference selection after being chosen as a hitter last season. The right-handed relief pitcher is 4-0 with three saves to go with a 37 strikeouts and a 2.08 earned run average in 39 innings pitched.
Climie, who is also committed to Houston, has been one of the Bucs’ top hitters, matching McGinnis with 14 home runs to go with a .368 batting clip, a .488 on-base percentage, 16 doubles, two triples, 52 RBIs, and 51 runs scored.
Reaves, a Louisiana State University signee, is hitting .326 this spring with a .449 OBP, 14 doubles, six homers, 37 RBIs, and 47 runs. Reaves also made the all-conference first-team in 2023.
Lipsey is a two-time first-team honoree thanks to another big spring. He currently holds a .324 average and a .484 OBP to go with seven home runs, 37 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. Lipsey is committed to Florida Atlantic University.
Ferraro has emerged onto the collegiate scene with a .372 batting average and a .489 OBP. The first-year Buc also has 13 doubles and 13 home runs with 62 RBIs and 46 runs.
Davenport has helped anchor Blinn’s pitching staff this spring with a 5-2 record in 14 starts. Across 72 2/3 innings of work, he has posted a 3.59 earned run average to go with 60 strikeouts.
Dudley, who is committed to the University of Texas, has posted a 3.60 earned run average in 30 innings on the mound. He has a 4-3 record, four saves in four chances, and 41 strikeouts.
The Bucs begin play in the Region XIV South Regional with a tilt against Panola College at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 47 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
