WACO, Texas – The Blinn College baseball team split a non-conference double-header with McLennan Community College here Tuesday, dropping the first game 7-3 before defeating the Highlanders 9-5 in the finale.

McLennan opened the day with a four-run first inning, then tacked on three more in the fourth inning to take an early 7-0 lead. Blinn Starting pitcher Trent Rape allowed just one earned run in 3 2/3 innings, but allowed six unearned runs in the loss. He scattered six hits before Kyle Mueller entered the game to throw 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Tyler Coker, Robert Garza and Holden Cammack each drove in runs for the Buccaneers, who finished with six hits on theday.

McLennan starting pitcher Kody Hessemer went all seven innings, allowing one earned run.

In the second game, the Buccaneers took advantage of four McLennan errors and scored five runs in the fifth inning to take home the victory. Garza went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Josh Garza drove home a pair of runs. Nolan Brown and Hayden Vesely each drove in RBIs.

Michael Vielma earned the win, allowing five runs – three earned – in 4 2/3 innings. He allowed nine hits and struck out three. Tyler Day threw 2 1/3 shutout innings of relief.

The Buccaneers host Galveston College for the beginning of a three-game Region XIV Conference series at 3 p.m. Friday at Leroy Dreyer Field. The Bucs then play at Galveston in a 1 p.m. Saturday double-header.