The Blinn College softball team earned a welcomed split of a doubleheader with fifth-ranked Grayson College on Sunday in Denison, Texas.
The Buccaneers rallied for a 6-4 victory in game one before dropping a six-inning, 9-1 decision to end the day.
“A split at Grayson isn’t too bad,” Blinn head coach Rick Church said. “Plus, we had a 4-2 record over the weekend, which makes for a good trip.”
The Buccaneers moved to 15-9-1 on the season after the split with the Vikings and a 3-1 mark at the Region XIV Crossover Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Blinn began Sunday with an inspiring effort on offense, backed by some gutsy pitching from sophomore Peyton Welker.
After Grayson grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Bucs responded with a four-run third frame, made possible by an RBI single from sophomore Alyssa Boozy, a two-run error, and a run-scoring passed ball.
The Vikings rallied for three runs in the fifth inning, but Blinn got back to work in the sixth.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore pitcher Peyton Welker)
With two outs in the inning, freshman Haley Hughes singled and later scored on an RBI double from sophomore Erynne Castillo. After Alayna Calvillo singled, Castillo stole home to give Blinn a two-run cushion.
Welker retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn her ninth victory of the year. She allowed four earned runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Castillo led the Bucs with three hits, an RBI, and two runs scored. Calvillo, Boozy, and freshman Kayden Harms had two hits apiece.
Grayson rebounded in game two and earned the split.
Blinn’s lone run came in the third inning when Hughes scored on a wild pitch to make it a 1-1 ballgame.
The Vikings took the lead for good with a pair of third-inning runs.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore outfielder Erynne Castillo)
The Bucs finished with four hits, led by a 2-for-3 performance for Hughes.
Freshman Paige Bunting was charged with five runs (earned) on six hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings of work.
Up next for Blinn is the start of Region XIV play, which begins with a doubleheader at Lamar State College-Port Arthur at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, in Port Arthur, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 45 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
