The Buccaneers (27-8), leaders of the Region XIV South Zone, opened the scoring in the top of the first on a leadoff solo home run from freshman Marshall Lipsey before tacking on eight more runs in the second frame. The outburst would be just enough to hold off the Bulldogs, who currently sit atop the Region XIV North Zone.
Trailing 9-2 heading into the home half of the second inning, Navarro scored three runs before adding single tallies in the fourth, fifth, and seventh frames.
“We let them hang around and hang around, so we were very fortunate to get out of there with a win,” Blinn head coach Dusty Hart said. “At the end of the day, we found a way to win the game and that’s what was important.”
The Buccaneer offense totaled 10 hits, with freshman Kash Durkin leading the way with three hits, including a double, an RBI, a walk, and two runs scored. Sophomore Ian Collier had a double, three RBIs, and a run to go with three walks. Freshman Brandon Bishop also doubled and dr0ve in a run while crossing the plate and added a walk to Blinn’s 11 free passes. Freshman Tanner Reaves walked twice and drove in his 52nd run of the year – NJCAA Division I’s third-highest total.
Freshman pitcher Carson McKinney started for the Bucs and tossed two frames. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits with two walks and a strikeout, and ultimately settled for a no-decision.
Freshman relievers Tyler Bogusz, Tristan Duke, Nick Anello, and Cody Pfeffer combined for three runs (one earned), five hits allowed, six walks, and four strikeouts. Bogusz was the pitcher of record and improved to 3-1 on the year, while Pfeffer recorded four outs for his third save.
“We got a chance to put some guys on the mound who hadn’t pitched a ton, and they got the opportunity to get some late-game experience in a ballgame that was close,” Hart said. “You learn a lot more from those moments than you do when you beat someone 10-1. I thought we did a really good job of maintaining our focus on the mound, and at the end of the day, we made just enough pitches in the big moments to get it done.”
Blinn begins a two-game South Zone series against Alvin Community College at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
