Freshman (2013): Blackstone was the top freshman performer and a key part of the infield for the Aggies in 2013. He was the only freshman to see regular action throughout the season, playing in a total of 46 of 57 games while starting in 40 of those games for NM State. The middle infielder began the season as the team’s second baseman and finished off the season playing on the other side of diamond at shortstop.
Blackstone finished the season with a .229 batting average, 33 hits, eight doubles, a triple, two home runs, 20 RBIs, 27 walks, seven stolen bases and a .909 fielding percentage while manning the Aggie middle infield.
The true freshman improved his numbers during the second half of the season and WAC play. Blackstone played in all 27 WAC matchups while starting 24 for NM State. He hit .253 in WAC play, had 22 of his 33 total hits, five of his eight doubles, five of his seven stolen bases and hit a home run during conference play.
Blackstone made an immediate impact during the Aggies’ first series of the season. During the third game of the season for NM State, versus UW-Milwaukee (Feb. 16), Blackstone went 2-for-4 at the plate, including his only triple of the season, en route to marking a season-high three RBIs. In the WAC opener against Texas State (March 22), Blackstone had a season-high three hits while going 3-for-3 with a couple of walks. He also scored a season-high four runs and had an RBI in the 12-6 Aggie win to kick off conference play.
High School: Blackstone was a three-year varsity starting shortstop at George C. Marshall High School where he played every single inning at shortstop for three years, as well as serving as team captain for his junior and senior seasons. In his senior year, Blackstone was the team's most valuable player, hitting .379 and had an OPS of 1.245, including four home runs, four triples and only making one error all season. Blackstone was named first team All-Liberty District, All-Northern Region Virginia and All-Metropolitan Area (for Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC, by the Washington Post) at shortstop and led the Statesmen to the regional playoffs. He was the first All-Met team member in the last 20 years for Marshall High School. As a junior, Blackstone was named first team All-Liberty District shortstop, hitting three home runs while batting .417 and had an OPS of 1.085. Blackstone also played point guard for the Statesmen's basketball team and helped the team reach the regional playoffs as a sophomore.
Personal: Blackstone was born in Plano, Texas but grew up in Vienna, Virginia. He is the son of Frank and Alison Blackstone and has a younger brother, Mitch, who is a catcher at Marshall High School. Blackstone is majoring in business administration.
