Softball 5/3/2025 12:58:00 PM

Six Blinn players land on Region XIV South all-conference teams

Paige Bunting, Bailey Boetjer, Darian DeLeon, and Cadence Wiese were first-team selections

Softball 5/3/2025 12:58:00 PM

Six Blinn players land on Region XIV South all-conference teams

Paige Bunting, Bailey Boetjer, Darian DeLeon, and Cadence Wiese were first-team selections

The Blinn College softball team has landed six players on the Region XIV South all-conference team, including four first-team selections.

The Buccaneers, who begin play in the Region XIV Tournament as the first seed out of the South division Saturday in Bossier City, La., finished the regular season with a 23-21 record and used a late-season surge to secure a 19-5 South mark and a first-place finish for the first time since 2019.

Leading the charge in the pitcher's circle was all-region first-team choice Paige Bunting, one of two pitchers to make the list. The sophomore concluded the regular season with an 11-10 record, a 4.52 earned run average, and 96 strikeouts in 122 1/3 innings. She found her stride late, winning seven consecutive starts. She finished 11-1 with one save against South foes with a 2.61 ERA and 69 strikeouts compared to just 38 walks in 83 innings. Bunting was also a Region XIV all-region second-team selection, which includes players from Region XIV's North and South divisions.

Sophomores Bailey Boetjer and Darian DeLeon and freshman Cadence Wiese also earned first-team South honors.

Boetjer built on a solid freshman campaign in 2024 with an even better 2025. The first baseman leads the Bucs with 11 home runs and 48 runs batted in to go with 11 doubles while hitting .350. Ten of her home runs and 39 of her RBIs came against South competition. She hit .395 in South play. Boetjer was also named to the all-region first team.

(Pictured: From left, Paige Bunting, Bailey Boetjer, Darian DeLeon, Cadence Wiese, T'Era Garrett, and Annie Beckendforf)

DeLeon had another stellar season hitting out of the two hole for the Bucs. After hitting .338 as a freshman, the outfielder is enjoying a .364 average with four doubles, two triples, 18 RBIs, and 37 runs scored. She leads her team with 14 stolen bases. In South action, DeLeon hit .390 with two triples, 25 runs, and 15 driven in. DeLeon also landed on the all-region second team.

Boetjer and DeLeon were second-team choices in 2024.

Wiese has established herself as a reliable power threat in her debut season. She has eight home runs and a team-high 14 doubles to go with 34 RBIs and a .315 batting average. That average jumped to .347 against South opponents with six homers, nine doubles, 21 RBIs, and a .457 on-base percentage (OBP). Wiese also earned second-team all-region honors.

Buccaneer sophomore T'Era Garrett and freshman Annie Beckendorf were recognized with second-team selections.

Garrett is hitting .288 with eight doubles, eight RBIs, and 16 runs scored, but did damage against South opponents to the tune of a .323 clip, six two-baggers, 14 runs, five RBIs, and a .354 OBP.

Beckendorf has produced strong numbers in her first season as a Buc, as she's currently hitting .313 with six homers, 37 RBIs (second behind Boetjer), 13 doubles (second behind Wiese), one triple, and a .365 OBP. Against South foes, Beckendorf hit .382 with five longballs, 11 doubles, a triple, and 28 RBIs, while reaching at a clip of .425.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987.

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