BASEBALL       

SAM HOUSTON 4, TEXAS STATE-SAN MARCOS 2

HUNTSVILLE ? Seth Hammock's two-run home run in the seventh inning powered Sam Houston State to a 4-2 victory over Texas State-San Marcos in the first contest of a three-game Southland Conference baseball series Friday night at Don Sanders Stadium.

Ryan Tepera (2-1) limited the Bobcats to six hits, striking out seven batters as he went eight and two thirds innings. Casey Springer got the last out in the ninth to pick up his fifth save of the season.

Texas State-San Marcos opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the second inning. After an inning opening walk and a single, Elliott Babcock drove in the first run with a ground out to shortstop and Bret Atwood singled in the second run.

Sam Houston got on the board in the third inning on an RBI double by Keith Stein to score Todd Sebek who walked. Two innings later the Bearkats tied the contest 2-2 as Ryan Trevino was safe on an error, advanced to third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Weber.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Hammock blasted his fourth home run of the season over the left field fence to put Sam Houston up 4-2. The homer also scored Daniel Nottebart who singled.

Mike Hart (2-2) was the loser for Texas State-San Marcos, allowing the Bearkats only five hits and striking out eight Sam Houston batters.

Sam Houston State and Texas State-San Marcos will meet in the second game of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. The third game will be Sunday at 1 p.m. at Don Sanders Stadium.