Backed by an aggressive defense, Bearkat pitcher Morgan Mikulin pitched a gem for a 4-0 shutout of No. 23ranked Baylor in the first game of a non-conference softball doubleheader Tuesday at Bearkat Softball Complex.
Baylor bounced back to win the nightcap 4-2 to up the Bears' record to 19-8. Sam Houston now stands 12-18.
Mikulin (7-12) allowed the Bears only four hits in the opening game as the senior struck out four and did not give up a walk. Baylor starter Courtney Repka (11-5) was more generous, walking four Bearkats. Three SHSU runs came from those walks.
Repka walked the bases full with one out in the bottom of the third inning. First baseman Amy Brown hit a chopper over the pitcher's head to score third baseman Shelbi Tucker. On the play, the Bears' shortstop misplayed the ball to score Hailey Wiginton and move right fielder Erin Burford to third base. Senior pitcher Morgan Mikulin's deep fly ball to center scored Burford.
The Bears loaded the bases with one out after a hit batter, an error and a single in the top of the fourth. But two force outs at home got the Bearkats out of the inning.
Wiginton batted in another run for the Kats in the fourth on a fielder's choice, scoring Kim Damian. The center fielder got on a base on a fielder's choice and moved to third on a double down the left field line by third baseman Shelbi Tucker.
"We're really proud of the girls for that great win in the first game," SHSU head coach Bob Brock said. "Morgan pitched a really efficient game, we made some big defensive plays and we took advantage of what they gave us."
Baylor came into the doubleheader ranked No. 2 in hitting in the Big 12. But Sam Houston held the Bears scoreless for 10 consecutive innings. First baseman Courtney Nieten finally put Baylor on the board with a home run in the fourth inning of the second game.
The Bearkats evened the score 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Mikulin and catcher Ashley Isbell both singled and pinch runner Mae Nowak scored on a ground out by Damian.
Baylor added three runs on four hits in the fifth to go up 4-1. The Bearkats had one last opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning, loading the bases with no outs. But Sam Houston could get only one run across as the Bears picked up the outs to earn the split.
Tomi Garrison (4-3) was the loser in the second game. Tori Benavidez pitched the final three innings in relief.
Sam Houston State travels to Houston for a doubleheader against Houston Baptist Wednesday.
Tickets for Sam Houston State softball home games are on sale online at www.gobearkats.com.
The Sam Houston State athletic ticket office in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone number is 936 294-1729.
Fans also can order exciting Sam Houston State gear at Bearkat Gear link on www.gobearkats.com.
