BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College baseball nearly spoiled an excellent performance by Christian Thames on the mound but the Buccaneers had enough in the final inning to get a pair of runs to beat Laredo Community College 2-1 in the opening game March 13 at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham.
The offense came late in the second game as well for Blinn but the Buccaneers didn't get enough of it and lost 3-2 to split the pair of games. The split moves the Blinn conference record to 6-8 and 15-9 overall.
Thames was able to hold Laredo to only one hit in the opening game throughout seven innings and the lone Laredo run wasn't earned. It took an RBI double by Conner Smith in the seventh and a walk-off single by pinch-hitter Clayton Auippa to secure the come from behind victory. Smith had two doubles in the win.
Laredo scored its lone run in the sixth inning and Blinn was able to answer an inning later. Hunter Lehman was able to reach on an error and Stephen Stuart came in to run for Lehman. With one out, Smith was able to tie the game with a deep double to center to score Stuart.
Coming on as a pinch hitter, Auippa was able to hit a single to left to score Smith and clinch the first game 2-1.
In the second game, Laredo again jumped out to an early lead and this time held on for a 3-2 victory. Lehman and Thames each picked up two hits in the loss while Dakota Mills pitched a strong game on the mound, only giving up one earned run but the offense showed up a little too late for Blinn.
Laredo jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third but Blinn chipped away at that lead in the bottom half. Patrick King started the inning by reaching on an error and then came around to score on a Thames single up the middle to get within 2-1 of Laredo.
Laredo boosted its lead back up to two with a single run in the seventh inning to make the score 3-1. Blinn tried to leave it up to the last inning again and even put together a strong rally in the ninth.
Lehman started the inning with a double on a ball that was lost in the lights and then King was able to knock in pinch runner Stuart to get within 3-2 with two outs but Laredo was able to get a fly ball on the next batter to split the pair of games.
Blinn will host Laredo for another double-header March 14 that starts at 1 p.m. at Leroy Dreyer Field.
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 its 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.
