BLINN BASEBALL OPENS SEASON WITH PAIR OF WINS AT CBC CLASSIC
Buccaneers defeat Western Texas and shutout Ranger
BEEVILLE, Texas — The Buccaneers (2-0) opened their season with a pair of wins over Western Texas College, 6-3, and Ranger College, 2-0, in the Coastal Bend College Classic.
“I was elated to see our team on the field for first time since March 10,” head coach Harvey McIntyre said. “We were outstanding on the mound, played effortless defense, and had to hang around offensively and win the game late in Game 2. I am proud of our guys.”
Blinn 6 – Western Texas 3
The Buccaneers opened the doubleheader with a 6-3 win over Western Texas.
Jace Hutchins got the win on the mound after giving up three hits and one run, while striking out two in three innings. In addition, Trevor Mott and Patrick Hail combined for three scoreless innings.
On offense, Cullen Sherrill led Blinn with three runs, while Jett Garcia led the Buccaneers with two RBIs. Kam Kelton and Nick Wolff each went 2-for-3 and drove in one run. Kelton scored two runs, while Wolff scored one.
Western Texas landed on the board first with one run in the second inning, but the Buccaneers took a lead for good in the bottom half of the inning. Sherrill and Wolff drew walks to begin the inning, and Sherrill later scored on a wild pitch. Garcia singled for Wolff to score and Blinn to lead 2-1.
Blinn added two runs in each of the third and fourth innings to lead 6-1. Kelton was hit by a pitch during the first at-bat of the third inning and scored on a single off Wolff’s bat. Sherrill got on base with a single and scored on Garcia’s fly ball for Blinn to lead 4-1. In fourth inning, Kelton hit a solo home run and Sherrill scored on a line out for the Buccaneers to pull ahead 6-1.
Western Texas rallied for two final runs in the seventh inning before falling to Blinn.
Blinn 2 – Ranger 0
A solid pitching performance allowed the Buccaneers to shutout Ranger to conclude the day with a 2-0 victory.
Dylan Theut received the win after allowing just three hits and striking out six in four innings. Colson Geisler pitched 2 1/3 innings and only gave up two hits, while Grant Wood didn’t surrender a hit in 2/3 inning.
Kelton and Westley Shields were the only two Buccaneers to get one hit each off of Ranger. Brandon Williams drove in one run, while Kelton and Sherrill each scored one run.
After six scoreless innings, Kelton and Sherrill both scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Williams. Ranger managed one single to open the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Buccaneers struck out the next two batters and the game concluded with a pop out.
Next, Blinn will start the Galveston Tournament with two games on Friday, Feb. 5. The Buccaneers will take on Western Texas at 10 a.m. and Galveston College at 7 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 41 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.