FORT WORTH, Texas - First baseman Taylor Davis had two hits including a home run and center fielder Mark Hudson went 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs to lead Sam Houston as the Bearkats fell to No. 11 TCU 12-7 before 3,072 fans at Lupton Stadium.
The Horned Frogs pounded out 15 hits as Kyle Von Tungein, Jerome Pena, Jason Coats and Marry Curry each tallied two hits. On the mound, freshman Matt Purke picked up his first collegiate victory. Purke (1-0) went five innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He walked one and fanned eight.
Paul Spinn (0-1) drew the loss for the Bearkats in his first SHSU start. Andrew Massey, Brandon Kimbrel, Michael Hilliard and Daniel Nottebart all saw work in relief.
Second baseman Braeden Riley, last year's NCAA Division I total hits leader, went 2-for-5. Catcher Doug Oney was 2-for-4.
Sam Houston State cracked the scoreboard for the first time in 2010 in the first inning as they took the early 1-0 lead. With the bases loaded a balk was called, allowing the Bearkats first run to score. Purke limited the damage, getting Tyler Fiebrich to ground out to end the inning.
The Frogs answered in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of two free passes to take a 2-1 lead. Bryan Holaday was hit by a two-out pitch and a throwing error on a ball hit by Weik kept the inning alive. A Coats single tied the game at one and Elander put the Frogs on top, 3-2, with a base hit to short.
A two-run top of the second put the Bearkats back in front, but the Frogs responded with a four-spot in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead for good. TCU kept pouring on the offense as it added three more runs in the third inning to open up a 9-3 lead.
An unearned run came across the plate in the fifth inning as the Bearkats took advantage of two Frog errors to score their fourth run of the game. But back-to-back strikeouts from Purke ended the Frame with the Frogs still in control, 9-4.
Sam Houston State closed the gap in the seventh inning with three runs on four hits to pull within three, 10-7. The big blow of the inning was a two-run home run by Davis.
The Frogs will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon at Lupton Stadium. Kyle Winkler will toe the rubber for the Frogs and face the Bearkats' Jordan Westra. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
The 2010 home opener for Sam Houston will be Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Prairie View A&M at Don Sanders Stadium.
Single game baseball tickets for games at Don Sanders are $8 for reserved seats and $6 for general admission. Purchase baseball single game tickets online now.
For more information about tickets to Bearkat baseball, softball and other SHSU athletic events go online to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston Athletic Ticket Office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
