BRENHAM, Texas - After falling to Laredo Community College in the first game of the conference series, Blinn College baseball bounced back and swept Laredo by the scores of 12-1 and 5-1 to take the series this afternoon at Leroy Dreyer Field.
The Buccaneers defeated Laredo in six innings after Sammy Blair hit a three-run triple for Blinn to run-rule Laredo.
The Buccaneers now improve to 17-10 overall and 11-4 in Region XIV play with the sweep.
Blinn 12 - Laredo 1
Blinn got the job done early in the doubleheader opener after using a combination of solid pitching and an explosive offense to run-rule Laredo in six innings, 12-1.
Kyle Gray sealed the win after throwing all six innings and only surrendering one run on four hits, while striking out 12.
Sammy Blair drove in three runs, while Jake Miller, Koby Collins and Alec Sanchez each drove in two. Reggie McCalister, Gray Rodgers, Jackson Leath and Sanchez all scored two runs apiece.
By the end of the third inning, Blinn maintained a 6-0 lead.
Sanchez scored the first run for Blinn in the second inning on a one-run single by Cameron Gibbons.
In the third inning, the Buccaneers added five runs. Brandon Ashy scored the first run of the inning after Blinn loaded the bases and Marshall Skinner was hit by a pitch. With the bases still loaded, Sanchez managed a walk for McCalister to score. Collins followed with a two-run single for Rodgers and Leath to score, while Sanchez scored the final run of the inning on a groundout.
Laredo scored its lone run of the game in the fourth inning. In the bottom half, Blinn tacked on two more runs to lead 8-1. Rodgers produced a one-run triple for McCalister to score and then he later scored on a fielder's choice.
Blinn added four runs in the sixth inning to walk off the field with a 12-1 victory. After loading the bases, Miller drove in the first run for the Buccaneers with a single. Blair unloaded the bases with a three-run triple for the Buccaneers to walk off with the win.
Blinn 5 - Laredo 1
Blinn carried the momentum into the second game of the doubleheader and a solid start by Ryan Day paved the way for the Buccaneers to down Laredo, 5-1.
Day sealed the win on the mound after pitching 7 2/3 innings and only surrendering one run on five hits, while striking out six.
Sanchez led Blinn after going 2-for-3 and recording two RBIs, while Blair went 2-for-4 and drove in one run, while scoring one.
Blinn scored one run in the first, second and fourth innings to take a 3-0 lead. Ashy scored the first run in the opening inning off a one-run single by Sanchez. In the second inning, Koby Collins stole home to score and in the fourth inning Miller scored on a one-run double by Blair.
Laredo scored its only run in the eighth inning to trail 3-1, but Blinn answered back with two runs in the bottom of the inning after one error allowed Gibbons and Blair to score.
Blinn will be back in action when the Buccaneers take on Baton Rouge Community College on Monday, March 26 in a non-conference doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Leroy Dreyer Field.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
