BRENHAM, Texas — The Blinn College softball team totaled 21 hits in a sweep over Alvin Community College at Hohlt Park Wednesday.
The Buccaneers defeated Alvin by the score of 7-3 in both games of a doubleheader.
With the pair of wins, the Buccaneers are now 17-15 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
“A combination of producing our own runs and taking advantage of their errors helped us get the sweep,” head coach Rick Church said. “We scored more innings than they did in both games, and if you do that, most of the time you are going to win the game. These two wins are very important for us to solidify the number two spot in conference.”
Blinn 7 – Alvin 3
The Buccaneers opened the doubleheader with a 7-3 win.
Nevada Dolnik recorded the win in the circle after throwing all seven innings. She surrendered just three runs on seven hits, while striking out four.
Emily Murphy went 3-for-3 and scored two runs, while Samantha Rodriguez drove in two runs to lead the offense.
“We are seeing the ball really, and if somebody gets an out, then the next batter helps them out,” Rodriguez said. “Our pitching was solid today too. We have been working together and want to win as a team.”
After three scoreless innings, Blinn scored two runs to take the lead. Mikaela Lopez drove in the first run with a single, while Acie Prince knocked in one run with a double.
In the top of the fifth inning, Alvin evened the score 2-2. However, the Buccaneers took two runs back in the bottom of the inning when Rodriguez drove in two runs with a clutch single.
Blinn extended its lead to 7-2 in the sixth inning. Chloe Woodward and Bailee Stanzione each scored on an error, then Keely Castillo drove in Blinn’s final run with a single.
The Dolphins rallied for one run in the top of the seventh inning before falling to the Buccaneers.
Blinn 7 – Alvin 3
Blinn finished the doubleheader with a 7-3 win.
Renna Toomey recorded the win after pitching a complete game and not allowing an earned run. In addition, she struck out four batters and didn’t allow a walk in seven innings.
Murphy was perfect at the plate with two hits and led the Buccaneers with three RBIs. In addition, Amy Hitt drove in two runs, while Rodriguez scored two runs.
“I knew our team needed some hits, so I was just looking for my pitch every at-bat and not taking anything else,” Murphy said. “We split with Alvin last time, so were motivated to get the sweep today. We kept the energy up in the first game when it got close and it kept us motivated at the plate and on the field, and our pitching has been solid every game.”
Blinn scored the first two runs of the game after Hitt and Bailey Barrile hit one-run doubles in the second inning.
Alvin scored three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead, but not for long as Blinn evened the score in the bottom of the inning. Woodward led off the bottom of the fourth with a double and Murphy drove her home with a single to tie the game 3-3.
The Buccaneers scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 7-3 lead for good. Lopez kicked things off with a one-run triple, then scored on Hitt’s sacrifice fly. Murphy drove in the final two runs with a single.
Next, the Buccaneers will host Coastal Bend College for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 24, starting at 1 p.m. at Hohlt Park. The doubleheader will feature Sophomore Day.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
