Sophomore Emily Kristynik, a catcher from Houston, was selected first-team all-conference in the Region XIV South Zone, and also earned a first-team nod on the Region XIV all-region squad. Freshman outfielder Alayna Calvillo (Houston) joined Kristynik on both the first-team all-conference and all-region teams.
Earning second-team all-conference recognition were sophomore pitcher Chloee Mason (Joaquin, Texas) and freshman outfielder Erynne Castillo (Katy, Texas).
In her second season as a Buccaneer, Kristynik owns a .377 batting average to go with a .428 on-base percentage (OBP). Her 57 hits are second on the team only to Calvillo. Kristynik has team highs in doubles (15), home runs (eight), and runs batted in (45). Kristynik earned the highest number of votes on the all-conference ballot.
“Consistency has been the key for Emily,” Blinn head coach Rick Church said. “She rarely has a bad day. She has supplied a ton of power for us in the middle of the lineup and has contributed about as much as any one person can for a team.”
(Pictured: Blinn’s Alayna Calvillo)
Calvillo, Blinn’s leadoff hitter, has burst out of the gate in her first collegiate season with impressive numbers. Her .440 batting average leads the Bucs, as does her .497 OBP. Her 62 hits are a team-high, and she’s flashed tremendous speed this spring with 14 doubles, four triples, and 11 stolen bases. Calvillo has also scored 41 runs while driving in 24 RBIs. Calvillo was also a force in left field with no defensive errors this season. Calvillo was third in all-conference voting.
“Alayna has also been a model of consistency for us,” Church said. “She hit above .400 the entire year; she doesn’t strike out much; she has a high on-base percentage; she moves runners over when we need her to; and for being at the top of the lineup, she has quite a few RBIs, too. She did quite a bit for us in a lot of categories.”
(Pictured: Blinn’s Chloee Mason)
In her two seasons at Blinn, Mason has solidified herself as a reliable arm on the Buccaneer pitching staff. Her 10 wins are tied for the team lead, and the crafty right-hander has demonstrated longevity with a team-best 109 1/3 innings pitched this season. Mason’s 2.75 earned run average is also tops on the team, and she’s allowed an impressive .249 batting average to opposing hitters.
(Pictured: Blinn’s Erynne Castillo)
Castillo flourished in her debut campaign for the Bucs, batting .333 with a .396 OBP. She has collected 47 hits, including three doubles and four triples, while driving in 17 runs. Castill has 39 runs, second only to Calvillo, to go with a team-high 19 stolen bases.
Blinn is currently 28-20 overall and finished fourth in the South Zone this spring. The Buccaneers are currently competing in the Region XIV North Regional and opened play against top-seeded Bossier Parish Junior College on Friday.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 43 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
