Blankenship honorable mention A-A

Games were played at the Kino Sports Complex, spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Top 10 players from the tournament receive All-American status and play at another tournament this summer. The second 10 players selected receive honorable mention All-American status.

Baker coach Dan Blankenship, Derek’s father, said Derek was the 11th player listed on the list.

The younger Blankenship earned the honor after trying out for the teams in November. At the tryouts he received the Don Mattingly Award as the top hitter in camp.

“The tryouts were at Willamette University the same weekend the Baker football team played at Stayton,” said Dan Blankenship.

The elder Blankenship said the Arizona tournament consisted of two games Saturday and one Sunday. Blankenship finished play 3-for-6 hitting with a double, two RBIs and a stolen base.

According to www.baseballfactory.com, the official website for the Under Armour series, Blankenship is “a polished all-around shortstop with a high baseball IQ. He shows sure hands and a quick exchange in the field along with a short, level stroke at the plate.”

Blankenship, a shortstop and pitcher, helped Baker to second place at the Class 4A state playoffs last spring.