BLINN SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH LSU-EUNICE
Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information
The 15th-ranked Blinn College softball team shook off a disappointing start to its doubleheader with Louisiana State University-Eunice to earn a split on Friday at Hohlt Park in Brenham, Texas.
The Buccaneers fell to the Bengals 14-2 in a five-inning opener before rallying for a 10-8 victory in game two.
The win also interrupted LSU-Eunice’s season-long dominance against Region 14 opponents, as the Bengals dropped to 18-1 against the region. The Bengals are 29-10 overall and ranked eighth in the NJCAA Division II softball poll.
“The wheels fell off for us in the first game, so we needed a big response in game two, and we got one,” Blinn head coach Rick Church said. “The victory sets the tone for (Saturday), and the grit and attitude we showed in coming back in that second game is exactly what we’re going to need to get to where we want to be by the end of the season.”
Blinn (19-9) started strong in the opener, taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning with the help of a defensive error. LSU-Eunice responded with two runs in the second inning, added two more in the fourth, and broke the game open with a nine-run fifth.
The Buccaneers managed four hits in the loss, including a double from sophomore infielder Annie Beckendorf. Sophomore pitcher Brynn Gallamore (10-4) took the loss after working 4 1/3 innings.
Game two featured a back-and-forth battle from the start.
After LSU-Eunice took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Blinn answered with four runs in the bottom half. Freshman utility player Lexis Moss drove in a run with a single, Beckendorf tied the game on a fielder’s choice, freshman catcher Kourtney Carter added an RBI fielder’s choice, and freshman first baseman Jaylen Moraice Budalich capped the inning with an RBI single to give the Bucs a 4-2 advantage.
The Bengals reclaimed the lead with four runs in the fourth inning, but Blinn chipped away. Freshman outfielder Skylar Flanagan delivered an RBI triple to right field to make it 6-5, and Carter followed with a sacrifice fly in the fifth to even the score.
LSU-Eunice took its final lead with two runs in the sixth, but the Buccaneers responded once again.
Freshman infielder Londyn Holland opened the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run. Back-to-back singles from Flanagan and sophomore outfielder Halle Scheel set the table for freshman infielder Brianna Moreno, who tied the game with an RBI single. One out later, Beckendorf delivered the decisive blow with a two-run double to left field.
Gallamore closed the door in the seventh, retiring the Bengals in order to secure the win after 3 1/3 innings of relief.
"Really proud of Brynn for her ability to overcome her tough start in the first game and do a good job for us in the second," Church added.
Blinn totaled 12 hits in the victory. Flanagan led the way with three, while Scheel, Moreno, and Moss added two apiece. Beckendorf drove in three runs, and Carter finished with two RBIs.
Freshman pitcher Jamison Wlos started and worked 3 2/3 innings before earning a no-decision. Gallamore picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Blinn and LSU-Eunice will conclude their series later today (Saturday) with a doubleheader beginning at 1pm at Hohlt Park. KWHI is going to have live coverage beginning with the pregame at 12:35pm on 1280AM, 101.7FM, and KWHI.com.