BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College baseball had plenty of run support while the pitching also took care of business in a 13-0 victory over Frank Phillips College Feb. 13 at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham.
"I told them that it was a whole team effort today," said Blinn baseball coach Harvey McIntyre. "Any time you score 13 runs and you shut somebody out then you have to make plays defensively and you have to attack the strike zone."
Ben Upton, Conner Smith, Stephen Stuart and Clayton Auippa each hit home runs for the Buccaneers while three pitchers combined to shut out visiting Frank Phillips.
Nathan Alexander got the start and probably could have pitched more than four innings but was hit in the head by a line drive. Alexander was able to walk back to the dugout under his own power following the scary moment and then Garrett Alexander and Kirby Peek finished off the shutout for Blinn.
Aside from his home run, Smith also hit a single while knocking in three runs in the victory that improves the season record to 7-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 at Leroy Dreyer Field. Hunter Lehman picked up a double and a single while scoring two runs in the impressive offensive showing.
"I was able to recognize the fastball today and get some base hits," Smith said after the game. "My home run felt pretty good but it was a low inside fastball that I was able to get around on."
Blinn got the offense going in its first at bats as Patrick King singled to start the game and Upton followed with a two-run home run for a 2-0 lead.
Scoring came the same way in the second inning as Smith walked and Stuart followed that walk with a two-run home run of his own for a four-run lead. Lehman was able to score in the third inning following his double for a 5-0 lead.
Blinn put the game way out of reach in the sixth and it started with another home run, this time a two-run shot by Auippa for a 7-0 lead. Lehman knocked in a run with a single and then Cullen Jozwiak scored on the play for a 9-0 lead.
Robbie Rojas contributed to the hit parade with an RBI double that was followed with a three-run home run by Smith to close out the scoring for the Buccaneers and secured the 13-0 victory.
The shutout didn't come easy as all three pitchers faced a jam or two on the mound but all three were able to escape without giving up a run.
Blinn will host Weatherford College Feb. 14 at Leroy Dreyer Field at 2 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 30 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
About Blinn College
Founded in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive community college committed to educational excellence and to individual and community enhancement. With an enrollment of 19,317 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for affordable educational excellence.
As part of its commitment to student success, Blinn is implementing a Quality Enhancement Plan titled "Destination Success: First-Year Focus," which utilizes learning communities to support first-year college students.
For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.
