BLINN BASEBALL OPENS SERIES AGAINST ALVIN WITH A 11-1 RUN-RULE WIN
Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information
The fifth-ranked Blinn College baseball team rode a strong offensive effort and a solid start from pitcher Dylan Thompson to an 11-1 run-rule victory over Alvin College on Thursday in Brenham, Texas.
The Buccaneers claimed the first game of a three-game set against their Region 14 South foe and improved to 16-7 overall and 6-2 in South play.
“It was just a really good, well-played, and well-executed performance,” Blinn head coach Dusty Hart said. “Everybody chipped in.”
Blinn controlled the five-inning ballgame from the outset, as the hosts jumped on the Dolphins in their first at-bat.
After Thompson put up a zero in the top of the first inning, the Bucs gave their pitcher all the run support he would need in the home half. Freshman third baseman Ryley Leininger cranked a three-run home run – his fourth of the season – over the wall in right field for a 3-0 cushion.
Four consecutive bases loaded walks in the third, followed by a sacrifice fly from Bucs freshman catcher AJ DePaolo, made it 8-1.
In the fourth, Leininger added an RBI double, sophomore infielder Jacob Bohacek plated a run with a groundout, and sophomore outfielder Reece Lunsford capped the onslaught with an RBI double of his own.
The Bucs totaled eight hits and seven walks.
Leininger, sophomore infielder Hunter Smolinski, and freshman catcher/designated hitter Zachary Tuxhorn had two hits apiece. Leininger finished with five RBIs.
Thompson (2-0) retired Alvin in order in the top of the fifth to seal the win.
The right-hander allowed one earned run on four hits with one walk while striking out a season-high eight hitters.
“Dylan has been really good for us,” Hart. “He let the game come to him tonight, and he was lights out.”
The two teams will conclude their series with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Alvin, Texas.
“Alvin is always a well-coached ballclub, and I knew it was going to be imperative that we showed up ready to play our A-game today,” Hart added. “Today was a great sign for the rest of the series and now we’ve got some momentum going into Saturday’s doubleheader.”