BUC BASEBALL DOWNS ALVIN, 7-5

ALVIN, Texas — The Blinn College baseball team defeated Alvin Community College, 7-5, in a nine-inning game on the road Thursday.

With the win, the Buccaneers are now 12-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play.

“It was great to see us start fast and have a big inning in the first,” head coach Harvey McIntyre said. “We responded to each of their scores to give us some separation. Jace Hutchins got us to the fifth with a lead, Colten Drake got big outs in the sixth through eighth, and Grant Wood did his job in the ninth.”

Hutchins earned the win on the mound after surrendering just three runs on five hits, while striking out six, in five innings. Drake allowed just two runs, while striking out four, in 2 2/3 innings. Wood recorded his sixth save of the season after only allowing just two hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Tyler Russell led the offense with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs. Garrison Weiss and Preston Hoffart scored two runs, while Brandon Williams scored one. Jett Garcia drove in two runs, and Hoffart, Kam Kelton, and Nick Wolff each drove in one.

Blinn wasted no time grabbing a 3-0 lead in the opening quarter. Kelton started things off by hitting a sacrifice fly for Weiss to score, then Hoffart and Wolff each hit one-run singles.

Jett Garcia hit a two-run triple at the top of the fourth inning for the Buccaneers to extend their lead, 5-0.

Alvin finally landed on the board with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to trail, 5-3.

Blinn answered back in the fifth inning when Russell hit a two-run blast and his third home run of the series.

Alvin rallied for one run in each of the sixth and eighth innings, but couldn’t catch the Buccaneers.

Next, the Buccaneers will conclude the conference series against Alvin Community College with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27, starting at 2 p.m. at Leroy Dreyer Field.

For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(COURTESY: Tara Dreyer, Blinn Information)