Pioneers dealt 7-5 setback by Buccaneers
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Photo contributed by Terrell Jessen WCJC's Reno Malay catches a foul ball during a recent home game against Galveston College. The Pioneers play Blinn College in a doubleeader today in Brenham.

WCJC dropped a 7-5 heartbreaker to Blinn College Wednesday night at Tiger Field.

The third place Pioneers slipped to 13-9 in the South Zone Region XIV standings. The sixth place Buccanners improved to 8-4. The two teams will play a doubleheader today in Brenham.

Second place San Jacinto beat Galveston 11-1 to improve to 17-5 and is a half game behind Alvin who is 17-4. The Dolphins start a three game series on Saturday against Laredo on the border

The last place Whitecaps slipped to 3-9 and hosts the Gators in a doubleheader today.

Blinn jumped out to a 30 lead in the top of the first. Shorstop Bryan Johns led off with a walk and went to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a double by catcher Mario Eramo.

Third baseman Zakary Leonhardt singled to drive in Eramo. Leonhardt then scored on a single by second baseman Travis Cougot.

The Buccaneers made it 5-0 in the second when left fielder Cameron Goff singled and Johns homered.

WCJC made it 5-1 in the bottom of the innings.

Bryan Minzenmeyer singled and stole second. With one out, Minzemeyer came around to score when a ground by by Max Herschap was misplayed.

The Pioneers rallied back in the fifth, scoring four runs to bring the score to 6-5.

Austin Kent reached on an one out error. After Daniel Meyer flied out, Billy Hicks reached on a miscue.

Johnson, Reno Malay and Cody Ross followed with RBI singles. Minzenmeyer then doubled home Ross.

Blinn made it 7-5 in the seventh. Layton Hiller doubled and went to third on a single by Eramo was later caught stealing second.

Hiller scored on a fly ball by Leonhardt to complete the scoring.

After Tyler Hicks doubled with one out in the top of the seventh, Blinn pitcher Trey Johnson retired the next eight batters.

WCJC totaled up only six hits in the game and Minz was two for three with a walk.

Rex Garner started for the Pioneers and pitched into the third. He gave up six runs on seven hits.

Brazos graduate Justin Korenek pitched until the eighth, walking two. Kurt Leer pitched the ninth.

Coming up next Wednesday, WCJC plays at Alvin and Galveston plays Blinn in Brenham.

Region XIV Standings

_S_OUTH ZONE
Teams _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _W _ _L _ GB _ Pct
_A_lvin _ _ _ (24-11) _ _ _17 _ 4 _ _ - _ _ .805
San Jac (31-6) _ _ _ _17 _5 _ _1/2 _ _ .772
_WCJC _ (23-18) _ _ _13 _ _9 _ _41/2 .590
Blinn _ _ (19-23) _ _ _ _8 _ 14 _ _ 91/2 _ .364
_Laredo _ (16-22) _ _ _7 _ 14 _ _10 _ _ _ .333
Galveston (8-28) _ 3 _ _19 _ 141/2 .136

Wednesday's Results
Blinn 7, WCJC 5
San Jac 11, Galveston 1
Saturday's Games
WCJC at Blinn, (DH), 1 p.m.
San Jac at Galveston (DH, 1 p.m.
Alvin at Laredo (DH). Noon
Sunday's Game
Alvin at Laredo, Noon
April 16 Game
WCJC at Alvin, 7 p.m.
Galveston at Blinn, 7 p.m.