EDINBURG -- Sam Houston State defeated Texas-Pan American but lost to Texas State-San Marcos on the final day of the UTPA Invitational
Down 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth of the Texas State-San Marcos game, Ryan Weber doubled and then scored on a single down the right field line by Todd Sebek. With runners at first and third and two outs, Bobcat reliever Walt Walters struck out Bobby Verbick to end the game.
Against, Texas-Pan American Sam Houston took a 6-1 lead then held off a Bronc rally in the ninth inning to win 6-5. The victory evens Sam Houston 's 2008 record at 2-2.
Texas State-San Marcos (3-0) scored their five runs on 11 hits. Sam Houston State totaled eight hits.
Transfer Will Skelton took the loss in his first start as a Bearkat, giving up eight hits and four runs in four innings while striking out three Bobcats. Freshman Cody Springer threw the final five innings, striking out six batters and giving up three hits.
The Bobcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a first inning home run by Gerald Goldschmidt.
Sam Houston scored two runs in the third inning. Seth Hammock and Ryan Trevino hit back-to-back singles, then Hammock scored on a double by Keith Stein and Trevino tallied after a sacrifice fly by Sebek.
Texas State-San Marcos added two runs the top of the fourth to go up 4-2. Hammock's sacrifice fly scored Heath Pugh who had singled and been doubled to third base by Weber. The Bobcats scored what proved to be the winning run on an RBI single in the seventh inning.
In the late game, the Bearkats built a 6-1 lead, taking advantage of five Bronc errors. Seth Hammock put the Kats on the board in the second inning with a single to score Braeden Riley. Zaleski and Pugh each drove in runs in the third inning to put the Kats up 3-0.
In the fifth, SHSU added two more runs, when Todd Sebek and Bobby Verbick scored runs on four errors by the Broncs. Sebek scored again on another error by Pam Am in the sixth inning.
Zach Neal pitched five innings for SHSU to pick up the vicotry. He allowed an unearned run and struck out nine batters.
After the Texas Pan American tournament, Sam Houston State will play a three game series at Louisiana-Monroe this Friday and Saturday. The Bearkats' home opener is Tuesday, March 4, vs. Rice.
