MONROE, LA ? Bobby Verbick's three-run home run sparked a four-run seventh inning as Sam Houston State came from behind to defeat Louisiana-Monroe 9-7 Sunday afternoon.

Sam Houston (4-3) won two of the three games with Louisiana-Monroe over the weekend. The Bearkats will open their 2008 home schedule with the Rice Owls Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville.

Down 6-3, the scoring for Sam Houston in the seventh started with a triple by Riley to score Wyatt who led off the inning with a single. Todd Sebek reached on a fielder's choice and Keith Stein doubled to put runners on second and third before Verbick's shot to left center put the Bearkats up 7-6.

Mark Wyatt added a solo home run in the eighth inning to make the Kat margin 8-6. Louisiana-Monroe cut the margin to 8-7 but could come no closer. Another run in the top of the ninth gave the Bearkats a two-run final margin.

Daniel Nottebart also hit a home run. Verbick and Nottebart also produced doubles. Verbick went 2-for-4 and Wyatt was 3-for-3 to lead the Bearkats as Sam Houston totaled 16 hits overall.

Zac Neal started on the mound, going four and one third innings, and Matt Shelton pitched in relief as the pair combined to strike out 12 Louisiana-Monroe batters.

Todd Sebek, Keith Stein, Ryan Weber, and Daniel Nottebart each had two hits for the Bearkats.