Corpus Christi, Tx. - The Sam Houston State softball team ended a five-game losing streak by sweeping a doubleheader with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday by scores of 4-2 and 9-8.
Senior Morgan Mikulin produced one of two first inning RBIs to give Sam Houston a lead, then picked up the save in the pitching circle in the first game of a doubleheader.
Erin Burford's RBI double and Mikulin's run-scoring single combined with a pair of Islander errors helped the Bearkats post four runs in the top of the first inning to open the three-game Southland softball series.
A&M-Corpus Christi tallied runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but the Kats held for the victory to end a five-game losing streak.
Freshman Tori Benavidez (1-3) picked up her first victory of the season, limiting the Islanders to four hits in four and a third innings and holding A&M-Corpus Christi scoreless for the first four frames. Benavidez struck out three batters.
Mikulin picked up her first save of the season, facing 10 batters in the final two and two thirds innings, striking out two.
Shelbi Tucker was the hitting hero of the second game, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Mandy Gegan brought in two runs and Amy Brown, Mikulin and Amanda Lindsey each added one RBI. The Bearkats jumped out to a 7-0 lead with four runs in the first and three in the third.
The Islanders totaled six runs in the bottom of third to make a game of it. Corpus Christi added two more in the bottom of the seventh.
Mikulin (9-15) was the winning pitcher in relief. The senior right-hander pitched the final four and two thirds innings, giving up six hits. Tomi Garrison was the starter.
The third game of the series will be Sunday at 1 p.m.
Sam Houston entered the game tied for ninth place in the Southland race. Only the top six finishers in the final regular season conference standings will earn a spot in the Southland Conference post-season tournament to be played at Texas State in San Marcos May 13-15.
Sam Houston's next home series will be with UT-Arlington Saturday and Sunday April 17-18.
Tickets for Sam Houston State softball home games are on sale online at www.gobearkats.com. All Sam Houston students, faculty and staff receive free admission with their SHSU BearkatOne I.D. cards. For $2, students and faculty/staff can upgrade their seats with reserved chairback seat. Offer is available at the ticket booth the day of the game.
Bearkat fans will have the opportunity to purchase reserved section chairback tickets for only $2 during the special online only "Opening Day Sale" Monday April 5 through April 7.
For more information on exciting offers like the "Friday Family Pack Tickets" or "Super Tuesday" Mini-Pack Tickets, go to the links below or contact the Sam Houston State ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
Purchase Event Tickets
Purchase Friday Family Pack Tickets
Purchase "Super Tuesday" Mini-Pack Tickets
Order Bearkat Gear
