The regular-season accolades, voted upon by the South Zone’s head coaches, include seven first-team selections, three second-team picks, and a Conference Player of the Year award for freshman infielder Tanner Reaves.
“It’s awesome,” said Reaves. “To be able to come in here during coach (Dusty) Hart’s first year and have this many talented guys on one team is unbelievable. These awards are a testament to the hard work we put in every day on the field.”
(Pictured: Blinn freshman Tanner Reaves)
Reaves is joined by sophomore starting pitcher Sam Crain; freshman relief pitchers Cody Pfeffer and Hunter Bond; freshman infielder Brandon Bishop; freshman outfielder Jake Kolkhorst; and sophomore designated hitter Ryan Scott on the first team.
Second-team selections were freshman starting pitcher Shane Connell; freshman outfielder Marshall Lipsey; and sophomore catcher Ian Collier.
“I don’t want to say it’s surprising, but 10 selections are a lot,” said Hart, who is in his first season as Blinn’s head coach. “You don’t pay attention to your numbers or compare them to other teams throughout the season, you just stay locked in to win baseball games. But today was an opportunity to look up and see how good our numbers really are, and I think 10 selections is a good representation of the season we’ve had so far.”
Blinn (39-13) won the South Zone this spring, its first conference title since 2001, and will host this weekend’s Region XIV South regional tournament beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 5, at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham, Texas.
The Bucs’ success was fueled in part by Reaves’ breakout season. The Bonham, Texas, native arrived at Blinn after the Louisiana State University commit redshirted under Hart at Grayson College in 2022 but made waves with a big collegiate debut.
Reaves is hitting .413 this spring with team highs in hits (86), home runs (12) and runs batted in (64). Reaves also has 18 doubles, three triples, 31 walks, 14 stolen bases, and leads the Bucs with a 1.190 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage).
“Tanner has always been a huge-upside player,” Hart said. “Even last year, you could see he was so talented. We redshirted him last season and that allowed him to soak it all in. It’s really cool to see kids come into their talent and ability.”
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore Sam Crain)
Crain (Melissa, Texas) is currently 4-2 on the year to go with a 2.48 earned run average (ERA) and 55 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings of work. The left-handed Grayson transfer is also a Baylor University signee.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman Cody Pfeffer)
Pfeffer, a native of nearby Bellville, Texas, and Bond, from College Station, Texas, have been two of the Bucs’ most reliable relief pitchers this season. In 40 2/3 innings pitched, Pfeffer owns a 5-2 record to go with 55 strikeouts, just 13 walks, and a sparkling 0.68 ERA. Bond boasts a 1.96 ERA in 35 2/3 innings and has fanned 45 hitters with just 14 walks.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman Hunter Bond)
Bishop (College Station) is hitting .351 this spring, with his 66 hits second only to Reaves. He has 10 doubles, a triple, four home runs, 47 RBIs, and 63 runs.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman Brandon Bishop)
Kolkhorst (Brenham) started the season on the mound for Blinn but made a mid-season transition to the outfield and flourished at the plate. His .376 batting average was second to Reaves, and he showed some power with seven doubles, a triple, and a home run to go with 28 RBIs in just 93 at bats.
Scott (The Colony, Texas) finished the regular season hitting .356, including a dozen doubles and six home runs. He currently has 28 RBIs with 36 runs scored.
(Pictured: Blinn freshman Jake Kolkhorst)
Connell (Klein, Texas) has helped round out the Buccaneer pitching staff this season with a strong collegiate debut. The right-hander is 4-0 overall with a 4.25 ERA to go with 55 punchouts in 54 1/3 innings.
Lipsey (Longview, Texas) has provided massive punch as Blinn’s leadoff hitter this season, providing a unique mix of speed and power. Lipsey sports a .313 average to go with nine home runs, nine doubles, four triples, and 42 RBIs. His 72 runs and 28 stolen bases lead the team, and he’s also demonstrated strong plate discipline with 50 walks.
Collier (Plano, Texas), a Texas State University commit and Blinn’s regular backstop (281 2/3 innings), is hitting .293 with 12 doubles, five homers, and 55 RBIs (second behind Reaves). Collier’s 57 walks lead Blinn.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore Ryan Scott)
Hart said his program’s haul of accolades should provide his squad with some confidence heading into the region tournament. The top-seeded Buccaneers will battle fourth-seeded Bossier Parish Community College in the first round at 2 p.m. on Friday.
“Confidence is huge in baseball,” said Hart. “To get this validation from the other coaches in the league … all we do as a head coach is turn the stats in, and the other coaches vote on who they think are the best players. This should raise our guys’ confidence and let them know what they’re capable of doing when they’re locked in and play the game the right way.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 43 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
