The winningest coach in the history of Delaware State athletics, Blandin completed his 22nd season as head of the Hornets’ baseball program in May 2022. He has guided DSU to a school- record 491 wins, including a 259-159 mark (.620) in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season games.
Blandin was selected as the 2022 MEAC Coach-of-the-Year after leading the Hornets to the league’s regular season title, marking the second time he has earned the award (2012).
Also during the 202 season, Delaware State’s Trey Paige (SS) was the MEAC Player-of-the-Year, the fourth Hornet to earn the award during Blandin’s tenure.
In addition to Paige, RHP Peter Carecca was named to the 2022 All-MEAC First Team, while Krew Bouldin (1B), Miguel Rivera (2B), Alan Alonso (3B), C.J. Loper (RP) and Mason Brewer (C ) were second team picks.
Delaware State also recorded a MEAC season-high six-game win streak in 2022, the Hornets' longest since also winning six in a row in 2017.
Blandin has led also DSU to six MEAC Northern Division titles and three MEAC championship game appearances. In 2017, Blandin was inducted into the Delaware High School Baseball Coaches Hall-of-Fame.
Also in 2017, he reached the 400-win mark at Delaware State with a 5-4 victory at Norfolk State. The Hornets trailed 4-1 in the game before scoring four runs in the top of the ninth inning to take the lead. Norfolk State had runners at third and second with none out in the bottom of the ninth, but failed to score, giving Blandin the historic victory in dramatic fashion.
In 2019, Hornet lefty Garrett Lawson was chosen as the MEAC Pitcher-of-the-Year and named to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-East Region Second Team, in addition to being selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the Major League Baseball Draft, joining Scott Martin (2002; Chicago White Sox), Tim Vaillancourt (2002; Arizona Diamondbacks), Eric Carter (2004; Seattle Mariners), Shawn Phillips (2004; Texas Rangers) and Dan Perkins (2009; Colorado Rockies) as Delaware State MLB draft picks during Blandin's tenure.
Blandin's 2015 DSU team was tops in the MEAC in home runs (35), runs scored (281), triples (16) and slugging percentage (.423).
In 2014, Blandin led DSU to its third straight MEAC North title with a 17-7 league record. The Hornets posted a 30-17 overall record, marking the fifth time that he's guided the team to 30-or-more wins.
The 2014 Hornets were tops among all NCAA Division I teams in two statistical categories. DSU led the nation with a .331 batting average and .431 on-base percentage last season.
In addition, Aaron Nardone was the nation's leader in on-base percentage (.521) and bases on balls (1.02 pg) in 2014.
Nardone was a 2014 All-MEAC First Team selection, along with Mike Alexander, DJ Miller and Matt McClain. Alexander was also named to the All-East Team last season.
In 2013, Blandin led the Hornets to a second straight MEAC North championship with a 21-3 division record. DSU was 33-15 overall.
Mike Alexander, J.P. Frey, Aaron Nardone, Eddie Sorondo and Cameron Cecil were named to the 2013 All-MEAC First Team.
The 2012 season was historic for Blandin, who led the Hornets to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference North championship and first MEAC championship game appearance in eight years. He reached the career 300-win mark and led the squad to a school-record win streak. The achievements earned Blandin his first MEAC Coach-of-the-Year award.
In addition, Delaware State's (1B/LHP) Ryan Haas was selected as the 2012 MEAC Player-of-the-Year, marking the second straight season that a Hornet received the award.
The 2012 Hornets were 40-17-1 overall, tying the team record for wins in a season first set by Blandin's 2002 squad. DSU captured the MEAC North title with a record of 22-2 in division games. The Hornets also posted a school-record 17 game win streak last season, which ended with a loss to Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC championship game, DSU's first title game appearance since 2004.
In addition to Haas, (RHP) Jordan Elliott, (3B) Cameron Cecil and (C ) Eddie Sorondo were named to the 2012 All-MEAC First Team.
The 2012 Hornets also made history by setting a NCAA Division I record for being hit by pitches. DSU batters were plunked 152 times last season, eclipsing the previous record of 133. Also, Hornet shortstop Scott Davis tied a national record with 37 hit by pitches.
Blandin picked up his 300th-career victory with a 10-8 win over Savannah State in the Hornets' MEAC Tournament opener on May 17, 2012 in Norfolk, Va.
He recorded his 200th win at DSU with a 10-6 victory over Delaware on April 8, 2008, reaching the 200-win plateau in 394 games (fewer games than any other coach in school history). Blandin also reached the 100-win mark faster than any coach in team history, achieving the milestone in 151 games.
In addition to 2012, Blandin led the Hornets to MEAC Northern Division crowns in each of his first three seasons.
In 2011, Delaware State's Scott Davis was named MEAC Player-of-the-Year, while 1B Ryan Haas joined Davis on the All-MEAC First Team. In addition, Davis was a 2011 CollegeBaseballInsider.com All-America Honorable Mention and American Baseball Coaches Association All-East Region Second team. Outfielder Troy Drummond, pitcher Jordan Elliott and catcher Cameron Cecil were 2011 All-MEAC Second Team selections.
Blandin was also instrumental in helping Ross Babineaux earn MEAC Player of the Year, and Hornet pitcher Dan Perkins receive league Pitcher-of-the-Year honors in 2009.
In 2007, Blandin registered a 22-27-2 record (10-8 MEAC), featuring All-MEAC First Team selection Tom Shelley. During the previous two years, DSU went 18-36-2 (7-11 MEAC) in 2006 and 19-27 (10-7 MEAC) in 2005. Third baseman Brandon Gravely was recognized as a First Team All-MEAC selection in '06, while second baseman Kevin Hill picked up first team all-conference honors in '05.
In 2004, he guided the Hornets to the MEAC Tournament championship round for the first time since 1993. The 2004 season also featured the selection of RHP Shawn Phillips and 1B Bret Underwood to the All-MEAC First Team. Phillips (Texas Rangers) and fellow RHP Eric Carter (Seattle Mariners) were also chosen in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.
In 2003, Blandin led Delaware State to its first season-series victory over the University of Delaware, winning four of six games against its in-state rival. The 2003 Hornets also produced two All-MEAC First Team players, OF Scott Martin and Underwood. The Chicago White Sox selected Martin, and RHP Tim Vaillancourt was chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2003 Major League Baseball amateur draft.
In 2002, Blandin guided Delaware State to a school-record 40 wins (40-19), eclipsing the former record of 37 set by his 2001 squad. The 2002 Hornets posted a school-record-tying 12-game winning streak, and ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in batting average, runs scored and earned run average. Blandin's 2002 squad also established new school records for runs scored (555), hits (668), home runs (68) and runs batted in (489). Among the individual honors collected by Blandin's 2002 team were the selection of Martin (DH) and Phil Sullinger (OF) to the All-MEAC First Team, and pitcher Phillips as MEAC Rookie-of-the-Year.
Blandin's 2001 team led all NCAA Division one schools in scoring at 10.4 runs per game, and earned run average (2.98). Delaware State pitchers tossed a school record eight shutouts that season, while the hitters established new team marks in four categories. The 2001 Hornets also posted a school-record winning streak of 12 games. After a loss to Georgetown ended the streak, the Hornets responded by winning their next 11 games. The 2001 All-MEAC First Team featured two Delaware State players (Martin - INF, Dave Stevens - C), while pitcher Joe Brzeczek was named MEAC Rookie-of-the-Year.
Prior to accepting the head-coaching job, Blandin served as an assistant/pitching coach for the Hornets during the 2000 season. He is credited for the dramatic turnaround in the pitching staff that season. Delaware State allowed fewer runs per game and had a lower ERA than the year before his arrival. Hornet opponents averaged 6.65 runs per game in 2000 compared to 9.6 in 1999. The team ERA fell from 8.24 in 1999 to 5.21 in 2000. Blandin was also instrumental in the development of lefty starter John Sterling, the 2000 MEAC Rookie-of-the-Year.
Before joining the Hornets, Blandin served as an assistant coach at the University of San Francisco in 1998. Blandin was also an undergraduate assistant at his alma mater, Wilmington (Del.) College, during the 1994 season. That year, Wilmington qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) World Series in Des Moines, Iowa. As a player at Wilmington, Blandin help lead the 1992 Wildcats to a fourth-place finish in the 18-team NAIA World Series. He also earned a letter during the 1993 season.
Blandin at DSU (year-by-year)
Year Record MEAC
2022 25-23 19-14 (MEAC regular season champs)
2021 15-28 13-18
2020 3-12 0-0
2019 20-24 12-12
2018 9-35 7-16
2017 22-25 14-10
2016 13-37 13-10
2015 16-29 13-11
2014 30-17 17-7 (MEAC North champs)
2013 33-15 21-3 (MEAC North champs)
2012 40-17-1 22-2 (MEAC North champs; tied school single-season wins record)
2011 26-29 11-7
2010 13-36 8-0
2009 19-25-1 10-8
2008 16-33 11-7
2007 22-27-2 10-8
2006 18-36-2 7-11
2005 19-27 10-7
2004 27-23 11-6
2003 27-25 9-0 (MEAC North champs)
2002 40-19 16-1 (MEAC North champs; DSU single-season wins record)
2001 37-10 17-1 (MEAC North champs)
TOT 491-551-6 259-159 (MEAC regular season)
