BRENHAM, Texas – Blinn College dug itself a big hole heading into the final inning and the Buccaneers nearly came all the way back but fell 9-7 to Temple College Friday night at Leroy Dreyer Field.
The Buccaneers opened the season with the loss at home as their record falls to 0-1 after the first day of the season.
Marshall Skinner helped in the comeback bid with a three-run home run in the ninth while Johnny Rizer and Colton Parrish each brought in a pair of runs. Jay Anderson had a 5-for-5 day with two doubles and three singles while Anthony Jones was close behind with a 4-for-5 day with two doubles and two singles in the loss.
Blinn was able to open the scoring in the bottom of the first when Trent Murphy led off the inning with a double and then scored on a ground out by Rizer for a 1-0 lead. Temple grabbed a 2-1 lead after a single run in the third and fourth innings.
The Buccaneers fought back to tie the game in the seventh when Anderson started with a one-out double and then tied the game after reaching home on an RBI single by Rizer to knot the game at 2-2. Temple powered its way to a 9-2 lead with four runs in the eighth and three in the ninth.
Down to its final three outs, Blinn showed signs of life when Anderson and Rizer singled to get on. Both Anderson and Rizer scored on a Parrish double to right-center to get within 9-4. Skinner brought the Buccaneers within two runs after a laser shot home run to left made the score 9-7. Unfortunately, that would be the final runs scored by Blinn as Temple held on for the two-run victory.
Blinn will continue its home stand with a doubleheader against Frank Phillips College on Saturday, Feb. 4 starting at noon.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.