Four sophomore Blinn College baseball players were selected to play in the Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star Game at Roger Williams Ballpark in Weatherford Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23.
Blinn College representatives included catcher Marshall Skinner and right-handed pitchers Cody Van Cleave, Zach Smith, and Andrew Morgan for the Region XIV South team.
The all-star weekend consisted of four teams divided into Region XIV East, Region XIV South, Region V North, and Region V West.
"They did a great job of representing our program and I was proud of them," Blinn baseball coach Harvey McIntyre said. "It is really neat for every one of those kids who got to participate for the exposure. It probably is one of the most important things that they do all year long."
Skinner was behind home plate for four innings Friday night when Region XIV South took on Region XIV North.
"My favorite part of the experience was being around all of those great baseball players and learning a lot of different things from each and every one of them," Skinner said.
Skinner caught a runner stealing, while Van Cleave pitched two innings in which he surrendered two hits, two runs, and no walks.
"It was great being around all the guys that are the best in the conference," Van Cleave said.
Smith pitched in the second game. In two innings, he didn't surrender a run and struck out two to help his team defeat the Region V West.
"It was great getting to play with all the talent that was there," Smith said.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987.