Three Blinn College softball players have signed with four-year programs to continue their academic and athletic careers.
Alivia Villarreal (New Braunfels) signed with Lubbock Christian University, Morgan Gray(Houston) signed with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Calli Birch (Maple Ridge, British Columbia) signed with St. Edward’s University.
“All three of these girls worked hard during their two years at Blinn College and are very deserving of their offers,” head coach Rick Church said. “They all chose to go to schools that fit their strengths and I expect great things from them during their junior and senior years.”
Villarreal, a sophomore third baseman, earned all-region and all-conference honors this year after leading the Buccaneers with 16 doubles and was second on the team with 42 RBIs. Villarreal hit .411, managed 60 hits and tied for second on the team with six home runs.
Sophomore right fielder Gray earned first team all-conference and second team all-region honors after batting .431 for the second most hits with 62. Gray was second on the team with 17 stolen bases and drove in 12 runs.
Catcher Birch hit .442 while producing 42 hits and knocking in 14 runs. She was named the 2018 Dr. James H. Atkinson Cup winner awarded each year to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average after maintaining a 3.87 grade point average.
Blinn finished the season with a 32-18 mark and placed second in the Region XIV South Division with an 18-6 conference record.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987.