Sam Houston State let a 5-1 lead in the 9th get away, falling 6-5 to Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Ryan Tepera pitched a great game for the Kats, allowing just 1 run through eight innings of work. He was lifted in the ninth after allowing a leadoff single with the Kats up 5-1. With the game in the hands of the bullpen, The Kats weren't able to hold the lead. Zach Baker entered and failed to get an out, allowing a run and left the game with the bases loaded.

Casey Springer, who leads the Kats with three saves already on the season, took the ball in a jam and couldn't get the job done. He walked two batters and allowed a pair of hits, as the Islanders took the opening game of the series.

The Bearkats got off to a hot start, getting a bases loaded double from Nick Zeleski to put SHSU up 3-0 in the first. They tacked on two more in the second inning, when Ryan Trevino and Mark Wyatt each drove home runs to put SHSU up 5-0.

In that frame, Todd Sebek singled to extend his hitting streak to 20 games, including all 19 this season.

But over the final seven innings, the Kats could manage only two hits. TAMUCC relief pitcher held the Bearkats hitless in the final four innings to chalk up the victory on the mound.

They will play game 2 of the series Friday night at Whataburger Field. The game will start at 6:30 p.m. with Will Skelton taking the hill for the Kats.