Baseball 4/11/2026 8:57:00 AM

No. 7 Blinn bounces back to earn doubleheader split with San Jacinto-North

The Buccaneers won the three-game series and took five of seven from the Ravens for the season

Baseball 4/11/2026 8:57:00 AM

No. 7 Blinn bounces back to earn doubleheader split with San Jacinto-North

The Buccaneers won the three-game series and took five of seven from the Ravens for the season

A disappointing start didn't stop No. 7 Blinn College baseball from closing strong in Friday's Region 14 South doubleheader against San Jacinto College-North.

The Buccaneers recovered from a 5-2 loss in game one to finish with a 7-6 triumph in the nightcap at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham, Texas.

Blinn (30-11, 18-6 South) took two of three in its set against the Ravens and claimed five of seven in the season series.

A rain-drenched opener – which featured a two-hour weather delay in the fifth inning – ultimately went San Jacinto-North's way after the Ravens snapped a 2-2 tie with a run in the frame following the long pause.

San Jacinto-North added single tallies in the sixth and seventh innings to seal the win.

The Ravens' rally spoiled a strong start for Bucs redshirt freshman Luke Ekdall, who allowed two earned runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts across four innings.

Blinn freshman pitcher Bo Collingwood (0-1) allowed the go-ahead run in the fifth and was charged with the loss.

"We let them scratch across some runs late and San Jacinto did a good job," Blinn head coach Dusty Hart said. "They got the big hits and we didn't."

Sophomore infielder Hunter Smolinski and freshman third baseman Ryley Leininger each had RBIs for the Bucs, who scored once in the third inning and again in the fourth. Freshman catcher/designated hitter Zachary Tuxhorn had two of Blinn's five hits.

Game two saw the Bucs race out to a 6-0 lead before the Ravens made things interesting late.

After Smolinski led off the bottom of the first with a single, he later scored on sophomore infielder Drew Britton's double to center field.

In the second inning, sophomore utility man Kason Atkins drove in a run on a groundout, Britton added an RBI single, and Tuxhorn capped the four-run outburst with a two-run single.

Leininger drew a bases loaded walk in the third to make it 6-0.

Starting pitcher Travis Minard was dealt a tough-luck no-decision after shutting down San Jacinto-North for six innings. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out a season-high eight.

Following Minard's departure, the Ravens rallied against freshman relievers Trevor Moore and Landon Bowden. The visitors scored four runs in the seventh before Bowden allowed two inherited runners to score in the eighth. He escaped further damage with a strikeout to keep the game tied.

"It's tough to enter a game with guys on base in a high-pressure situation, but I thought Landon did a tremendous job to limit the damage," Hart said. "He got us back into the dugout with the game tied and really set us up for what happened the rest of the way."

Bowden (2-0) was the pitcher of record following Blinn's rally in the bottom of the eighth.

The Bucs got going when sophomore infielder Jacob Bohacek was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Britton followed with what was intended to be a sacrifice bunt, only to beat it out for a single. Tuxhorn then singled to load the bases, and one out later, freshman Austin Glasscock lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Bohacek.

Britton led the Bucs' 11-hit attack with a 4-for-4 performance, adding a double and two RBIs. Tuxhorn had two hits and drove in two, while Glasscock doubled as part of a two-hit game.

"With the game on the line, you need guys to step up and make a big play, get a big hit, or make a big pitch," Hart said. "We got all of that today."

Sophomore closer Hudson Melaerts entered in the ninth and worked out of trouble to earn his third save in five days. He struck out the first batter he faced before issuing back-to-back walks, then induced a flyout and recorded a game-ending strikeout. Melaerts improved to 8-for-8 in save opportunities.

"Being a closer is not an easy job, but Hudson embraces it," Hart said. "He comes in with a one-run lead with both teams locked in … it's already been a long day … and even with a bit of trouble on the bases, he was unbothered and didn't let the moment get too big. Just a phenomenal job all the way around."

Friday's victory pushed Blinn to the 30-win mark for the fourth time in as many seasons – all under Hart. The Bucs will look to add to that total when they open a four-game series with South foe Alvin Community College at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, in Brenham.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987.

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