BLINN POWERS PAST TCS, 11-3

Marshall Skinner leads Blinn to victory with three RBIs

BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College baseball used a strong pitching start by Kyle Sweeney and Zach Smith and scored in five innings to defeat TCS Post Grad Academy, 11-3, in a non-conference game at Leroy Dreyer Field.

“Our at-bats were really competitive all day and we showed up on the mound,” said Harvey McIntyre, Blinn head coach. “We are 1-0 this week and that’s how we like to start.”

With the win, Blinn’s overall record moves to 15-9 and Region XIV record remains at 9-3.

Kyle Sweeney earned his first win on the mound after starting the game and only surrendering two hits in two innings. Zach Smith, Brice Armistead, Cody Van Cleave, Chance Norman and Tyler Henson all pitched scoreless innings.

“We have a great pitching staff this year and all have a great bond,” said Henson, who closed out the game. “It was nice to have an eight-run lead and just be able to relax and get in the zone.”

The offense provided plenty of run support starting with a two-run homer by Marshall Skinner to lift Blinn to a 2-0 lead in the first inning that it would hold onto for the remainder of the game.

Skinner led Blinn with three RBIs, while scoring two runs. Cameron Gibbons and Sammy Blair each drove in two runs, while Reggie McCalister did his job as the designated hitter and led Blinn with three runs scored.

Blinn added four runs in the third inning after Brandon Ashy, McCalister and Gray Rodgers sparked the offense with three singles to lead off. Rodgers drove in the first run of the inning, while McCalister scored on a wild pitch. Gibbons drove in two more runs with a single for Blinn to lead 6-0.

TCS Post Grad Academy got on the board in the fourth inning with one run, but Blinn pulled ahead to 8-1 in the bottom half. Skinner and Koby Collins hit line-drive singles for Ashy and McCalister to score in the inning.

TCS Post Grad Academy cut its deficit to 8-3 in the fifth inning after scoring two runs. However, Blinn immediately answered back with one run after Jake Miller scored when Dylan Bohnert was issued a walk with the bases loaded.

The Buccaneers added two insurance runs in the eighth inning after Gibbons and Hayden McGriff scored off a two-run double off the bat of Blair.

Blinn will be back in action on Friday, March 23 when the Buccaneers resume conference play against Laredo Community College at 6 p.m. at Leroy Dreyer Field. Blinn shares a first-place record in the Region XIV conference standings with No. 6 San Jacinto College-North.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Courtesy, Tara Dreyer, Blinn information)