Freshman Madison Dorrow decided to take the “go big” approach.
Dorrow sent the next offering from Louisiana State University-Eunice pitcher Chloe Bennet over the fence in left field, sending the Blinn College softball team to a 6-5 victory in game one of a doubleheader Saturday at Hohlt Park in Brenham, Texas.
Dorrow’s heroics propelled the Buccaneers to a sweep of the Bengals, as they completed the doubleheader sweep with a 3-0 win in the finale.
“It wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for our team encouraging each other the entire day,” Dorrow said. “In that last at bat of the first game, I just knew that I needed to do something for my team in that spot. I swung and knew it was gone off the bat.”
(Pictured: Blinn College freshmen Madison Dorrow, left, and Peyton Welker)
The homer completed a five-run comeback for the Bucs, who trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth frame.
The rally started in Blinn’s half of the fifth when sophomore Madeline Stephenson singled in Erynne Castillo. Stephenson later scored on sophomore Caitlyn Stevens‘ sacrifice fly to make it 5-3.
“Those two runs in the fifth were huge,” Blinn head coach Rick Church said. “That kind of got us going and set things up for Madison in the seventh.”
Sophomore Skylar Shanahan and Stevens were hit by pitches in consecutive at bats in the seventh to set up Dorrow’s long ball.
Blinn finished with nine hits, including two apiece for Castillo and sophomore Emily Kristynik. Castillo doubled and tripled, and Kristynik also doubled.
Sophomore Chloee Mason started for the Bucs and lasted 4 1/3 innings. She allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts. Freshman Sydnie Cline worked the seventh inning to earn the victory in relief.
In game two, Dorrow continued her power display with a two-run homer in the second inning. The two home runs were her first two of the season.
The pair of runs was all freshman pitcher Peyton Welker needed, as she kept the Bengals at bay in a complete-game effort.
Welker improved to 7-2 in the circle after allowing just four hits with three walks and two punchouts.
“Peyton had a couple of shaky innings to start, but getting out of those jams was a real shot in the arm for her,” Church said. “We got enough pitching today and some clutch hitting that led to two big wins. That was a good sweep against a great team.”
The Bucs gave her an extra insurance run in the sixth when Stevens plated freshman Alayna Calvillo with a single.
Blinn finished with three hits.
The Buccaneers are now 17-7 overall and are enjoying a four-game win streak.
Blinn continues its season with a non-conference twin bill against Tyler Junior College beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, in Tyler, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
