The Buccaneers finished 2-1 at the Classic and are now 9-2 overall.
Blinn grabbed a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run from sophomore Emily Kristynik in the top of the first inning, but McLennan answered with three runs in the home half of the first to take the lead for good.
Kristynik plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the third to pull the Bucs within 4-3, but the Highlassies tallied eight runs across the bottom of the third, fourth, and fifth frames to pull away.
Freshman Erynne Castillo paced Blinn with three hits and two runs.
Freshman starting pitcher Camdyn Shugart took the loss following two innings in the pitcher’s circle.
Up next, Blinn will travel to Oxford, Alabama, for the National Preview Tournament. The Bucs open the three-day tournament against No. 13 Indian Hills Community College at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, and battle Wallace Community College-Dothan at 2 p.m., also Thursday.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
