BLINN BASEBALL OUTSLUGS GRAYSON IN SERIES OPENER 15-11

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

The second-ranked Blinn College baseball team out-slugged Grayson College on its way to a 15-11 victory Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham, Texas.

The Buccaneers improved to 6-5 overall.

Blinn also did away with a three-game losing streak, only the second of its kind since the arrival of fourth-year head coach Dusty Hart.

“Today’s game had absolutely nothing to do with the previous three games, and you can’t let those outcomes carry over,” Hart said. “Winning this one today was important for us because a big part of this sport is being able to get knocked off your horse, brushing yourself off, and getting back up there. I was really proud of the way we came out and competed today.”

With the wind blowing out to dead center field, the matchup turned into an offensive showcase by the middle innings.

The teams combined for 33 hits (15 for Blinn), including four doubles for the Bucs and four home runs for each squad.

The Vikings led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the first before Bucs sophomore shortstop Jacob Bohacek evened things up with a solo homer.

After Grayson inched ahead 2-1 in the second, Blinn took the lead for good in their half of the third.

Freshman catcher AJ DePaolo led off the inning with a solo blast, and sophomore second baseman Hunter Smolinski and freshman third baseman Ryler Leininger both singled before freshman designated hitter Zachary Tuxhorn sent a homer to left field.

The Bucs added three more runs in the fourth but Grayson battled back with a two-spot in the fifth and a three-run burst in the sixth.

With Blinn leading just 8-7 in the seventh, sophomore first baseman Drew Britton led off with a homer to give the Bucs some space before DePaolo drove in another run on a fielder’s choice. Smolinski followed with a single and Bohacek cracked a double to center for a 12-7 advantage.

The Vikings kept fighting and used a four-run eighth to nip at Blinn’s heels once more.

The Bucs got going again with three walks to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, and scored three runs when Bohacek was hit by a pitch, Leininger walked, and Tuxhorn singled to center.

Blinn was led by a four-hit effort for Smolinski. Tuxhorn had three hits and five RBIs, and Bohacek added two hits and drove in four. Sophomore center fielder Kason Atkins had two hits, including a double. Smolinski and sophomore outfielder Reece Lunsford also doubled.

The Bucs also drew 10 walks.

Sophomore pitcher Hudson Melaerts – who entered the game with two outs in the eighth – then returned in the ninth and struck out the side in order to seal the win.

“That’s the part that goes unnoticed to most on a day like today,” Hart said of Melaerts. “It’s a luxury to have a guy with great stuff like Hudson Melaerts who can come in at the end of the game and get big outs. He really helped us shut the door there.”

Sophomore starting pitcher Ben Polleschultz (2-0) was the pitcher of record after working three innings of six-it, two-run ball. He struck out five Vikings and walked three.

Freshman pitchers Corby Wagoner and Landon Bowden worked 4 2/3 innings of relief in the middle innings.

Blinn and Grayson conclude their series with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Leroy Dreyer Field.