May 20, 2004

Blevins closing in on end to stellar career at Cowley

Fresh off being named a first-team All-Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division performer for the second straight year, Cowley County Community College sophomore catcher Clay Blevins is closing in on an end to a solid career for the Tiger baseball team.

Blevins has been equally impressive with his hitting as he has been behind the plate. He has teamed with fellow catcher Hunter Harrigan to catch a Tiger pitching staff that has an earned run average of 3.07. The switch-hitter also is batting .320 with a team-high 22 doubles and 43 runs batted in.

Blevins moved to Dale, Okla., his sophomore year of high school and teamed with fellow Tiger Josh Wahpepah to help the school win five state championships. Blevins was an all-state catcher and made the Oklahoma Sun Belt Team as a senior, prior to starring for the Tigers.

“I love catching,” Blevins said. “It’s fun catching good pitching. When you are playing around good people, it makes it that much more enjoyable. I think I actually had a little better spring at the plate last year, but I hope I’m starting to peak at the right time.”

Blevins has driven in 17 runs in his last 17 games. He also has nine doubles and a batting average of .355 during that span.

With Blevins and Harrigan splitting time at catcher this season, the position has turned out to be one of the most productive spots in the Tiger batting order. Blevins and Harrigan have combined to bat .345 with seven home runs and 54 RBIs in 56 games while playing behind the plate. The duo also has combined to drive in at least one run in 35 of the team’s 56 games.

“I think they are the best catching tandem in the country without question,” Cowley head coach Dave Burroughs said. “Clay has got a bright future ahead of him. He’s in a premium spot, he can catch and throw, and hit left handed.”

Blevins has signed to play baseball at Oklahoma State University, but also has been drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in last year’s Major League Baseball draft.

“If I don’t sign a pro contract, then I will be happy to go to Oklahoma State,” Blevins said.

Cowley has gone 75-39 in Blevins’ two years at the school. This year, he helped lead the Tigers to their ninth Jayhawk East title in the past 10 years and a No. 1 seed in the Region VI Tournament.

“He’s been a lot of fun to have around,” Burroughs said. “We are going to miss him. He will be hard to replace.”