BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College softball sent its sophomores off the right way by sweeping San Jacinto College-South by the score 8-1 and 3-2 Tuesday at Hohlt Park in Brenham.
Blinn came out strong offensively in the first game and needed some last inning heroics in the second game to earn the sweep and improve its conference record to 17-3 and its overall record to 35-13. With only four more conference games remaining, the Buccaneers have sealed up the top spot of the Region XIV South Zone.
“The last couple double-headers at home has been like everyone has been trying to generate offense individually but we did it together as a team today,” said Blinn head coach Rick Church. “That is going to be the key the rest of the way out and especially at regionals.”
Blinn switched up its pitching a bit against San Jacinto with Jaiden Rawls pitching the first game and Mariah Gibson throwing in the second game and both pitchers earned a victory.
Delilah Pacheco, Courtney White and Seeley Orsak each had two hits in the first game while Orsak also added an RBI, walk and a run in the win.
Blinn was able to jump ahead of San Jacinto when Pacheco singled to get on base and made her way to second after a wild pitch. Jordin Wilkins knocked in the first run with a single through the infield for a 1-0 lead. San Jacinto would come back with a run in the third to tie the game at 1-1.
From the fourth inning on, Blinn dominated offensively as Avery Mullendore and Orsak started a rally with a pair of two-out singles and both later scored on an error for a 3-1 edge. Pacheco tacked on another run with an RBI single dropped into right-center for a 4-1 lead.
The scoring continued for Blinn in the fifth when White doubled to start it off and then Meghann Wrinkle brought in pinch-runner Jazzmin Fritz with an RBI single up the middle for the fifth run. San Jacinto had a hard time retiring Orsak as she hit an RBI single down the left field line for a 6-1 lead and then was able to get caught in a run-down trying to steal but Wrinkle was able to score before Orsak was tagged for a 7-1 advantage.
Pacheco did just about everything in the sixth after reaching on a fielder’s choice and reaching second on a single by Alli Spivey. Pacheco then tried to steal third and a San Jacinto throwing error allowed Pacheco to score for an 8-1 lead that turned out to be the final score.
Blinn dug itself an early 2-0 hole in the second game but was able to tie the game in the middle innings and then Lara Cecchetti drew a bases loaded walk to push in the winning win for the 3-2 victory.
Gibson not only pitched for a victory but went 3-for-3, all singles, to supply the bulk of the offense. Pacheco and Wrinkle each picked up a pair of singles in the victory.
“The defense was playing way back so I was just going for ground balls at the plate,” Gibson said. “I think we played a lot better as a team than we have during previous home games.”
San Jacinto scored two early runs in the second inning but Blinn would come back in the third. Pacheco started the inning with a single and then stole second to get into scoring position for a White RBI single up the middle to get the Buccaneers within 2-1. Spivey, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning was able to touch the plate after a San Jacinto error to tie the game at 2-2.
Blinn was down to its last chance to get a run in the seventh but Wilkins walked while Gibson and Wrinkle singled to load the bases for Cecchetti with the bases loaded and no outs. Cecchetti worked the count in her favor and drew a walk to force home the winning run for a 3-2 victory.
Blinn will hit the road on Friday, April 24 as it travels to face Coastal Bend College for a double-header beginning at 12 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 32 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit: www.buccaneersports.com.
