BLINN BASEBALL DROPS TWO ON THE ROAD TO MCLENNAN
Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information
The second-ranked Blinn College baseball team endured a sweep at the hands of No. 6 McLennan Community College on Friday in Waco, Texas.
The Highlanders defeated the Buccaneers 2-1 in game one before earning an 11-1 decision (eight innings) in the nightcap.
Blinn dropped to 5-5 overall.
The two teams were scheduled to conclude their three-game set Saturday in Brenham, Texas, but inclement weather has forced a one-day postponement. The finale is now set for 2 p.m. on Sunday at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham.
Friday's twin bill opened with a pair of pitching gems, as Bucs redshirt freshman Luke Ekdall and McLennan sophomore Carson Bailey went toe-to-toe.
Ekdall, who is now 0-3 despite a trio of impressive outings this season, flirted with history as he took a perfect game into the sixth frame.
With his team leading 1-0, Ekdall got the first out of the sixth before issuing back-to-back walks. He left the game after working 5 1/3 innings of no-hit ball. He finished with 10 strikeouts, his second consecutive start with 10 or more punchouts.
Sophomore Dylan Thompson came on in relief for the Bucs and surrendered the tying and winning runs on a walk and a two-run single.
Blinn finished with two hits.
Freshman designated hitter Zachary Tuxhorn doubled with two outs in the fourth and crossed on the plate on sophomore second baseman Drew Britton's RBI single to give Blinn a 1-0 edge.
The Bucs were unable to wrangle the Highlanders in game two as the hosts built an 8-0 advantage after five innings.
Blinn broke up the shutout in the sixth when Britton hit a leadoff double and scored on sophomore center fielder Kason Atkin's single.
McLennan added single tallies in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to enact the run rule.
The Bucs collected eight hits, led by Atkins' 3-for-4 outing. Tuxhorn added two hits.
Blinn sophomore starting pitcher Hayden Morris absorbed the loss and dropped to 2-1. The setback was his first since making his Bucs debut on Jan. 25, 2025. He finished 9-0 last season. On Thursday, he worked four innings and was charged with six runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks. He struck out eight.
Blinn sophomore Matt Taylor and freshman Bryce Robinson combined for three innings of relief.