PASADENA, Texas – A devastating quick start by Tyler Junior College with seven runs in the first inning was enough to win 10-3 and eliminate Blinn College softball from the Region XIV tournament Saturday night in Pasadena.
The Buccaneers did beat Galveston 5-3 to begin the day to stay alive in the consolation bracket. The season-ending loss to Tyler gives Blinn a 37-18 overall record to finish the season.
Blinn 5 – Galveston 3
Looking to stay alive in the consolation bracket, Blinn was able to grab a 5-1 lead after six innings and held Galveston to only two runs in the final inning to earn a 5-3 victory Saturday afternoon.
Cheyenne Trader knocked in two runs with a double in the win. Ashley Langston and Nicole Garcia each had an RBI while Katie Andrie delivered three singles and Kalli Edwards knocked two singles.
Sam Junkin got the win in the circle by pitching six innings and giving up only three earned runs and striking out one. Faith Genoway came on in relief in the seventh inning to pick up the save with a scoreless inning while striking out one.
Blinn was able to jump out to a quick start in the first inning when Garcia doubled and Andrie singled to get on base. Trader brought both in both with a double to center for a 2-0 Blinn lead. Galveston scored one run in the third to get within 2-1.
The Buccaneers went after some much needed insurance runs in the sixth as Lauren Silver doubled to begin the inning and later scored on an error for a 3-1 lead. Ashley Langston, who reached on an error came across to score the fourth run. Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run for a 5-1 lead after six innings. Blinn needed those insurance runs as Galveston scored twice in the seventh but the Buccaneers were able to hold on for the two-run victory.
Tyler 10 – Blinn 3
Tyler scored seven runs in the opening inning and that was enough to eliminate Blinn with a 10-3 victory Saturday night.
Silver had a big game in going 3 for 3 with a double, two singles and an RBI. Langston and Erika Wood each had an RBI in the loss.
Blinn gave up 10 runs in the loss and none of those runs were earned as the Buccaneers uncharacteristically committed five errors.
Tyler scored seven runs in the first inning and three more in the sixth inning to take a 10-0 lead. Blinn did show signs of life in the bottom of the sixth when Jordin Wilkins drew a one out walk and then came in to score after an RBI single to left by Silver for the first Blinn run. Langston followed with an RBI single to left to get within 10-2. Wood drove in a run with a single to get within 10-3 but that would be the final run scored for Blinn as Tyler advanced on in the tournament, ending the season for the Buccaneers.
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.
