Bucs split twin bill with Temple
Freshman reliever shines as Blinn wins Game 2

BRENHAM, Texas – Freshman left-hander Michael Vielma threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings to help the Blinn Buccaneers salvage a double-header split against the Temple Leopards at Leroy Dreyer Field Monday afternoon.
Blinn lost the first game 4-2 but rallied from an early four-run deficit to win the second game 9-4.
After dropping the first game, the Buccaneers rallied from an early 4-0 deficit as Vielma kept the Leopard bats in check, allowing just one hit while striking out five to earn the win.
“He had to stop them and give us some quality innings,” Blinn coach Harvey McIntyre said. “He’s the reason we won the second game. He put up zeros so we could catch up.”
The Buccaneer offense rallied back with the help of four Temple errors and nine walks from the Leopard pitching staff.
Freshman first baseman Eric Wood went 2-for-2 and drove in three runs, and sophomore shortstop Jake Kane drove in two RBIs. Garrett Logan, Tyler Boss and Markus Carr also drove in runs for the Buccaneers.
“They kicked it around a little bit and gave us a chance to create some big innings,” McIntyre said. “Sometimes you need help to get you going.”
Kyle Mueller started the game for the Bucs, allowing four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Taylor Cobb threw a scoreless seventh inning to preserve the win.
The victory improved the Buccaneers to 8-7 on the season.
Blinn lost the first game of the double-header as four Temple pitchers combined to hold the Bucs to three hits.
Logan, Kevin Daniels and Eric Preuss had the Buccaneers’ only hits.
Karl Malecek threw three innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out five. Trent Rape allowed one earned run over three innings, and David Rumsey threw one scoreless innings.
The Buccaneers host their annual round robin Friday and Saturday at Leroy Dreyer Field. On Friday, the Bucs face Odessa at 11 a.m. and North Central Texas at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Blinn plays Seminole at 11 a.m. and NCTC.
“We’ve got some really good teams coming in here,” McIntyre said. “We’ll have to play well.”
For more information on Blinn baseball, visit www.buccaneersports.com.