Pitchers shine as Buccaneers split double-header

AUSTIN, Texas – The Blinn Buccaneers got a pair of lights out pitching performances but just one victory Tuesday in a non-conference double-header against Concordia University's junior varsity.

Blinn defeated Concordia 5-0 in the opening game but lost the nightcap 1-0 despite outhitting the Tornados 6-2.

Michael Vielma dominated the opening game, allowing just five hits over six shutout innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

J.C. Neighbors threw a scoreless seventh inning.

Kevin Santana, who went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, got the Buccaneer offense on the board with a solo home run to left field to lead off the second inning.

The score remained 1-0 until the fifth, when Josh Garza scored on a ground ball by Robert Garza. In the sixth, Tyler Coker hit an RBI single and Josh Garza drove in a run with a ground ball to make it 4-0. Brandon Montalvo hit an RBI single to right field to make it 5-0 in the sixth.

Tyler Day followed up Vielma's performance with one equally impressive. Day threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits. He walked one and struck out five.

A leadoff error led to Concordia's only run in the fifth inning. Trent Rape came on to record the final two outs of the game.

Holden Cammack went 2-for-2 with a walk, and Scott Jones, Montalvo, Colin Kowal and Josh Garza also had hits for the Bucs.

Concordia did not commit any errors and ended the game with a double play.

The Buccaneers (25-19) host Laredo at 6 p.m. Friday for the first game in a three-game series at Leroy Dreyer Field. The Buccaneers will host the Buccaneers again Saturday for a 1 p.m. double-header. Those games will also be Washington County Little League Day, and Little Leaguers who arrive in their uniform will be recognized before the game and allowed to take the field alongside the Buccaneers for the national anthem.