RHOUDES’ SHUTOUT CAPS BUCCANEER SWEEP

Kassidy Rhoudes fires a shutout against Lamar State-Port Arthur to keep No. 15 Blinn undefeated in conference 

BRENHAM, Texas — No. 15 Blinn College softball remains undefeated in conference after a solid pitching performance from Kassidy Rhoudes to close out a doubleheader finale against Lamar State College-Port Arthur on Friday afternoon at Hohlt Park. The Buccaneers defeated Lamar State-Port Arthur by the scores of 6-3 and 4-0 to pick up the sweep.

With the pair of wins, Blinn increases its overall record to 17-9 and conference record to 6-0.

Blinn 6 – Lamar State-Port Arthur 3

After tallying nine hits, the Buccaneers claimed a 6-3 victory over Lamar State-Port Arthur to open Friday’s doubleheader.

Calli Birch went 2-for-3 to lead Blinn’s offense with two RBIs, while Sydney Gutierrez, Alivia Villarreal and Sarah Cedillo each drove in a run.

Meghan Morris recorded the win in the circle after throwing a complete seven-inning game and surrendering three runs on eight hits, while striking out four.

Lamar State took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning, but Blinn answered back with four runs in the bottom half of play to take a 4-2 lead for good.

After Morgan Gray, Abby Olejniczak and Tori Alvarez-Lopez strung together three singles to load the bases, Gutierrez walked for Blinn to take a 1-0 lead. Blinn evened the score after Olejniczak scored on an error and took a 4-2 lead after Birch hit a two-run double.

Blinn added one run each in the fifth and sixth innings to lead 6-2. Lauren Coerver scored on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, while Amber Langston scored in the sixth inning on a single by Villarreal.

Lamar State-Port Arthur attempted a rally by scoring one run in the seventh inning, but fell short.

Blinn 4 – Lamar State-Port Arthur 0

The Buccaneers defeated Lamar State-Port Arthur, 4-0, behind a solid outing by Rhoudes to close out the doubleheader.

Rhoudes claimed the win after throwing a seven-inning shutout and only surrendering five hits, while striking out eight and walking two.

Chelsea Armendariz led Blinn with two RBIs, while Gray led Blinn with two hits to score one run. Alvarez-Lopez, Amy Alexander and Courtney Ogle also each produced one run in the win.

Blinn managed all four runs early after scoring one run each in the first and second innings and two runs in the third inning.

Blinn jumped out to a 1-0 lead after Alvarez-Lopez scored on an error in the first inning. The Buccaneers extended their lead to 2-0 when Ogle scored on a single by Olejniczak. In the third inning, Armendariz hit a two-run single for Alexander and Gray to score and Blinn to take a 4-0 lead that it held for the remainder of the game.

Blinn will be back in action on Friday, March 23 when the Buccaneers host Galveston College for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. at Hohlt Park.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Courtesy: Tara Dreyer, Blinn Information)