Blouin and Clothier named to All-MIAA softball teams

OLIVET, Mich. – Olivet College senior Kinslea Blouin and freshman Kaylee Clothier have been named to the 2019 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) softball teams. Blouin is a first-team selection, and Clothier is a second-team pick.  All-MIAA honors are based on a player's performance during the 16-game league schedule.

Blouin started all 16 MIAA games at shortstop for the Comets. She was the MIAA champion with a .479 batting average. She also led Olivet and ranked among the league leaders in runs scored (second, 18), hits (fifth, 23), triples (fourth, two), home runs (third, four), walks (fourth, seven), on-base percentage (third, .526) and slugging percentage (first, .917).

"There is no doubt from all of us here at Olivet that Kinslea had a great season," said Olivet head coach Darrick Brown. "She is a huge reason the OC softball program is finally getting the respect we deserve. I am so proud of her growth as a player and most importantly as a student at Olivet. It has been an honor watching her playing as an 11-year-old to finishing her college career as a Comet."

Clothier started 14 games as the team's designated player. She recorded a .378 batting average to go along with three home runs, 13 RBI, 30 total bases and .617 slugging percentage.

"I challenged Kaylee in the fall when I believed she could hit from the four spot in our lineup as a freshman as long as she stayed consistent," said Brown. "She responded with a huge offensive year, including the walk-off home run to beat Hope College who Olivet had not beat since 2012. Kaylee is a model student-athlete who shows up every day to practice and give its 110 percent. I am looking forward to three more years with her in our lineup."

For the entire 36-game schedule, Blouin topped the team in nearly every offensive statistical category, including .441 batting average, 49 hits, 39 runs, two triples, eight home runs, 28 RBI, 88 total bases, .793 slugging percentage and .511 on-base percentage. Almost all of those numbers rank among the top 10 all-time for a single-season in school history, with several ranking second. Blouin recorded 13 multi-hit and nine multi-RBI games and reached base safely in 33 of 36 games played and had a 15-game hit streak during the season. 

For the entire schedule, Clothier posted a .343 batting average (36-of-105), with seven doubles and three home runs for a .495 slugging percentage. She drove in 27 runs and scored 11 runs. Clothier tallied 11 multi-hit and six multi-RBI games. 

Under the leadership of Brown, the Comets finished the 2019 season with a 19-17 overall record and were fifth in the MIAA with an 8-8 mark. Both win totals were the most in Brown's tenure at Olivet.

"This year was the season where the Olivet softball program took a major step forward," said Brown. "We broke several team offensive records and just missed the record in several other categories. We finished one game out of playing in the MIAA Tournament. We are in great position moving forward to accomplish our goal of playing in the MIAA Tournament next May. The future looks extremely promising with the players who will be returning next year.

"In addition, the 2019 recruiting class will add puzzle pieces, as we continue our efforts to playing in May and competing for a MIAA championship. We should have a nice combination of pitching, speed and power in this class, so 2020 should be a lot of fun."