BRENHAM, Texas – The 18th-ranked Iowa Western Reivers rallied to force extra innings, then scored a pair of runs in the ninth to defeat the second-ranked Blinn Buccaneers 5-3 here Wednesday at Hohlt Park.
The Buccaneers started the game strong, scoring a pair of first-inning runs on a two-run single by freshman third baseman Payton Webb. The Buccaneers added another run in the fourth after Shelbe Sterling and Taylor Guidry each singled. Caitie Carney bunted the runners over, and Sterling scored on a fielder's choice.
Freshman Katie Castillon pitched the Bucs into the seventh inning before Carney took the loss in relief.
Outfielder Tiffani McKnight went 3-for-4 with a run scored and Guidry was 2-for-4.
The loss dropped Blinn to 6-7 on the season. It is the first time the team has been below .500 in six years.
The Buccaneers will look to bounce back Friday and Saturday in the Temple College Tournament. On Friday, Blinn plays Grayson County at 9 a.m., Butler at 11:30 a.m. and Howard at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Bucs face McLennan at 11:30 a.m. and Northeast Texas at 2 p.m.
