UHV’s Blinka named NFCA All-American

UHV's Claire Blinka swings at a pitch during a game against Oklahoma City University at Ann Lacy Stadium in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Sam Fowler/UHV Athletics)

June 6, 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Claire Blinka has grown into one of UHV softball's best bats over her three-year career with the Jaguars, and it showed this year.

The Port Lavaca native had career highs in RBIs, hits and on-base percentage to help UHV (33-14) reach the NAIA Tournament for the ninth time in the program's 17-year history.

On Thursday, the junior was recognized as a second team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. She is just the sixth Jaguar to be recognized by the NFCA and first since Rachel Laird in 2014. Blinka joins teammate Kenzie Chambers in receiving All-American honors this year after she was announced as an NAIA first team All-American on Tuesday.

"Receiving this recognition is such an honor," Blinka said. "I couldn't have done it without our amazing coaching staff and team I've been able to be a part of."

Blinka hit .394 this season with 49 RBIs and five home runs – tying her career-high from 2022. She had a .447 on-base percentage and .538 slugging percentage en route to her second consecutive first team All-Red River Athletic Conference nod.

To open the season, UHV's cleanup hitter had a 10-game hitting streak in which she went 17-for-33 with 14 RBIs. Her first hit of the year was a go-ahead, two-run home run in a 2-1 win over then-No. 23 William Carey.

Blinka's career .376 batting average and 13 career home runs currently rank eighth all-time at UHV heading into her senior season.

"Blinka is an example of what we look for in our program," said head coach Lindsey Ortiz. "She is a leader on and off the field. She puts in extra work to perfect her craft and she's incredibly competitive. She makes UHV softball better by being a part of it and I'm thrilled to see her receive this much-deserved reward."

The NFCA All-America teams are voted on by the Association's All-America Committees. In NAIA, the committee is comprised of one member head coach from each of the NAIA's six regions. All student-athletes who were nominated by a member head coach and voted to the first or second team All-Region squads were eligible for All-America consideration.