BUCS DEFEAT ALVIN IN CONFERENCE PLAY, 9-8

BRENHAM, Texas — The Blinn College baseball team defeated Alvin Community College, 9-8, in a nine-inning game at Leroy Dreyer Field Tuesday to open a four-game conference series.

With the win, the Buccaneers are now 11-7 overall and 6-5 in conference play.

“I am happy that we got double-digit hits and scored nine runs today,” head coach Harvey McIntyre said. “Tyler Russell had three huge at-bats and I am proud of him for that. I thought we hung in there and took great at-bats, so I am just proud that we swung it.”

Russell led the Blinn offense with two home runs and one double for five RBIs. Nick Wolff drove in two runs and scored two runs, and Kam Kelton scored three runs to lead Blinn.

“We have been struggling lately, so somebody had to step up and have a great day, and Kam Kelton started out the inning with a double and that gave me momentum,” Russell said. “We just fed off of each other and had some really good at-bats. It feels good to get the win.”

Trevor Mott earned the win for the Buccaneers on the mound after surrendering three runs on three hits in 1 2/3 inning. Grant Wood earned his fifth save of the season after not allowing a hit or run, and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.

“The hitters really showed up today and gave us a chance to win the game,” Wood said. “Our pitchers stayed in and did what they had to do to win the game. I have been trusting the process, and trying to get better each and every day, and there is nothing better than coming in under the lights at Leroy to try to save the game.”

Kelton led off the second inning with a double, and Russell and Wolff hit back-t0-back home runs for Blinn to lead 3-0.

Alvin scored two runs in the third inning, but Russell answered back for Blinn with a solo shot to leadoff the fourth inning and extend the Buccaneers’ lead 4-2.

A three-run fifth inning gave Alvin a 5-4 lead, but the Buccaneers took it back by scoring three runs in the sixth inning. First, Preston Hoffart tied the game by scoring on a wild pitch. Wolff drove in the only run of the inning with a double for Kelton to score, and Wolff scored on a wild pitch for the Buccaneers to lead 7-5.

Russell hit a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning to extend Blinn’s lead 9-5.

Alvin rallied for three runs in the eighth inning, but Wood was able to get the final out and keep the Dolphins off the board in the ninth.

Next, the Buccaneers will continue the conference series against the Dolphins with a nine-inning game at their place Thursday, March 25, at 1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(COURTESY: Tara Dreyer, Blinn Information)