WHARTON, Texas – Blinn College was one out away from suffering a conference-opening loss but stormed back to force extra innings and seal the victory with two runs in the 10th for a 4-2 victory over Wharton County Junior College Thursday night.
With the win, Blinn improves to 7-6 overall and gets off on the right foot in Region XIV play with a 1-0 record.
Colton Parrish was able to bring in two runs to lead the Buccaneers without even needing a hit. Tyler Fowler brought in the other RBI and added a pair of singles. Marshall Skinner hit a double and a single for a multi-hit game.
Will Floyd earned the victory on the mound by coming in and getting the final five outs, three of which came on a strikeout. Cody LeCompte came on in relief and pitched 6 1-3 innings and struck out 10 to keep the Buccaneers in the game.
"The difference tonight was Cody LeCompte's effort in relief," said Harvey McIntyre, Blinn head coach. "He was outstanding and competed his tail off and we found a way to win it late."
Wharton struck first with two runs in the second inning and held that lead until the ninth inning. Blinn did cut into the lead in the fourth when Skinner doubled to begin the inning and Fowler brought him in with a two-out single to center to get within 2-1.
Sam McElreath started the ninth when he was hit by a pitch and Richard Bailey came in to run for McElreath. Bailey advanced to third after a sacrifice and a fly out and then scored on an error to tie the game at 2-2.
After tying the game in the ninth, the momentum stayed with the Buccaneers in the 10th as they loaded the bases with walks by Drew Ardoin and Johnny Rizer while Skinner was hit by a pitch. Both Ardoin and Rizer scored on a Wharton error to take a 4-2 lead. Floyd kept Wharton off the scoreboard in the bottom of the 10th to seal the win.
Blinn will meet up with Wharton for a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 25 beginning at 3 p.m. at Leroy Dreyer Field.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
About Blinn College
With an enrollment of 19,422 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. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.
