ODESSA, Texas – Blinn College didn't lack offense in scoring nine runs and recording 10 hits to beat the Odessa College Wranglers 9-1 on Thursday afternoon to cap off a doubleheader in Odessa.
The Buccaneers had plenty of offense in the opening game as they outhit the Wranglers nine to eight, but Odessa was able to outscore Blinn 6-4 as both teams were able to claim a win in the doubleheader.
With the split, Blinn's overall record moved to 6-6 on the season.
Odessa 6 – Blinn 4
Despite outhitting Odessa College nine to eight, the Blinn College Buccaneers dropped the opener of the doubleheader 6-4.
Georgina Gonzales led the offense after going 1-for-3 with a two-run blast and recording three RBIs. Alivia Villarreal went 2-for-4 and scored a run, while Morgan Gray scored two runs. Sydney Gutierrez drove in the first run of the game.
In the circle, Meghan Morris surrendered four runs and six hits, while striking out two in 4 1/3 innings. Emily Noah came in for relief and surrendered two runs on two hits, while striking out two in 1 2/3 innings.
The Buccaneers were on the board first after Gray drew a walk and Gutierrez doubled for Blinn to take a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
Blinn held the lead until the fifth inning when Odessa managed to score four runs.
In the sixth inning, the Buccaneers answered back with two runs to close in on Odessa 4-3. Following a double off the bat of Villarreal, Gonzales hit a home run to tack on two runs for Blinn.
Odessa immediately answered back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull ahead 6-3.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Buccaneers began to rally as Gray, Gutierrez and Villarreal loaded the bases. Blinn pushed the final run across as Gonzales walked with the bases loaded.
Blinn 9 – Odessa 1
The Buccaneers made their offense count in the second game of the doubleheader as 10 hits accounted for nine runs in Blinn's 9-1 victory over Odessa.
Everyone in the line-up participated in the victory as Gray, Gutierrez, Villarreal, Sarah Cedillo, Gabriela Gomez, Maria Garcia and Makalah Norman scored one run each and Courtney Ogle scored two runs. Gutierrez led Blinn with three RBIs, while Gray and Ogle followed with two each.
Kassidy Rhoudes sealed the win in the circle after pitching a complete game and only surrendering one run on four hits, while striking out seven
Blinn jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Gutierrez sparked the offense with a two-run home run and Villarreal added another run after scoring on a wild pitch.
Odessa scored its only run of the game in the first inning on a solo home run.
The Buccaneers extended their lead to 6-1 after scoring three runs in the second inning. Gray brought in the first two runs with a line drive double, while scoring the final run of the inning on a groundout.
Blinn tacked on another run in the fourth inning after Norman scored on an error for the Buccaneers to pull ahead 7-1.
Blinn scored its final two runs of the game in the seventh inning after Gomez led off with a single and Ogle followed with a home run.
Blinn will be back in action Friday, Feb. 23 when the Buccaneers face No. 7 Howard College in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on the road.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 36 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
