Overwhelming offense and strong pitching led the Blinn College softball team to a twin bill sweep of Region XIV adversary Coastal Bend College on Friday in Beeville, Texas.
Both games went just five innings after the Buccaneers claimed 10-2 and 10-0 victories over the Cougars.
“It was a big offensive day for us,” Blinn head coach Rick Church said. “Paige Bunting and Bella De Los Santos also did a great job of holding Coastal Bend to two runs in 10 innings. We needed the two wins to stay in the mix in the Region 14 South.”
Blinn (18-10-1, 3-1 Region XIV) opened the doubleheader with a 17-hit attack that saw three Bucs finish with three hits.
Sophomore Alayna Calvillo had three hits, including a double, to go with three runs batted in to help lead Blinn. Sophomore Erynne Castillo had three hits and scored three runs, and freshman Haley Hughes went 3 for 3 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. Sophomore Alyssa Boozy doubled as part of her two hits and drove in three runs. Sophomore Ripley Welker and freshmen Grace Bracken and Kayden Harms also drove in one run apiece.
In the pitcher’s circle, Bunting allowed one earned run to earn the complete-game victory. She gave up five hits, struck out five, and walked three.
The Bucs made quick work of the Cougars again in game two.
Calvillo smacked an RBI single in the top of the first before Bracken followed with a two-run homer to make it 3-0.
Blinn tacked on three more runs in the third frame and four in the fifth.
The Bucs’ 13-hit effort was led by Calvillo, who went 4 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs. Welker and freshman Darian DeLeon each had two hits and two RBIs apiece, and sophomore Madyson Henley also plated a run.
De Los Santos picked up the win in the circle following a complete-game shutout. She struck out five, walked four, and limited Coastal Bend to a pair of hits.
The Bucs continue their season with a region doubleheader at No. 11 Galveston College beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, in Galveston, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 45 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
