BRENHAM, Texas – The Blinn Buccaneers rallied for three runs in their final at-bat to split Tuesday night's double-header with the Panola College Ponies at Leroy Dreyer Field.
Panola won the opening game 4-3 before the Buccaneers rallied to win the nightcap 3-2.
The inning opened with a leadoff double by Brandon Montalvo. Kevin Santana followed with an RBI double before Hayden Vesely walked and Colin Kowl was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Robert Garza hit an RBI single to tie the score. The next hitter, Scott Brown, was hit by a pitch to send the Buccaneers home with the win.
Michael Vielma earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit over 2 1/3 innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.
The Buccaneers suffered a narrow defeat in the opener despite two hits apiece from Jones and Garza and 2 1/13 shutout innings of relief from Kyle Mueller.
Sophomore right-hander Trent Rape threw the first 4 2/3 innings for the Buccaneers, allowing three earned runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out four. Mueller went the rest of the way, allowing just one hit. He struck out three and didn't walk a batter.
Jones went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs for the Bucs, while Garza was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. McCullen Gassaway doubled while Vielma, Cowal and Holden Cammack eachsingled.
Panola rallied for three runs in the fourth inning on a pair of singles and a walk.
The Buccaneers (6-8) open Region XIV Conference play Friday with a 6 p.m. game at Wharton County Junior College, then return to the friendly confines of Leroy Dreyer Field Saturday for a 3 p.m. double-header. The 3 p.m. game will be the team's first "Turn Back the Clock" game of the season, in which the team will wear replica jerseys modeled after those worn during the 1920s and '30s. Proceeds from the event, which features old-time music and 25-cent hot dogs, will benefit Adam's Angels Ministry.
Adam's Angels Ministry is a non-profit organization founded by Donna and Tim Culliver of Brenham as a way to reach out to families that have been affected by childhood cancer. The Cullivers lost their 4-year-old son, Adam Christian Culliver, to acute myelogenous leukemia.
Blinn began hosting Turn Back the Clock Days in 2009 as a fundraiser for local charities. In previous years, the event has raised money for Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, the Brazos Valley Hospice and Washington County Little League.
All monetary donations and fund-raising proceeds raised from this year's event will allow Adam's Angels to assist families with living expenses, fuel costs, medical parking and meal vouchers. Individuals or companies wishing to donate directly to Adam's Angels Ministry can send checks to: P.O. Box 2573, Brenham, TX 77834-2573, or visitwww.adamsangelsministry.org.
