Rice visits Don Sanders Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
4/12/2010 4:56:00 PM | Baseball
The Kats bring a 15-18 season mark into the contest while the Owls stand 19-14. Both teams took two-of-three in their respective conference series this past weekend. Sam Houston defeated McNeese State 7-1 and 6-3 Saturday and Sunday while Rice earned 11-8 and 19-1 decisions over Tulane.
Prior to the contest, a special plaque will be presented to Bearkat head coach Mark Johnson in honor of his 1,000 plus career coaching victories.
Each of past two years, Sam Houston has defeated Rice in the pair's duels at Don Sanders Stadium. The Kats won 13-12 in a slugfest in 2008 and 8-6 last year. At the NCAA Regionals in Houston the past two years, Rice turned the tables for a 3-2 victory in 2008 and a 5-2 win last year.
"With a young squad and some of the problems we've had with injuries this year, we've had some problems with our consistency," Johnson said. "We got some solid pitching in both the McNeese victories this weekend and that really helped. We're halfway through the season now and we've challenged the team to continue to fight to reach our preseason goals and not lower our expectations."
Designated hitter Chris Andreas (.365), outfielder Mark Hudson (.357) and infielders Ryan Mooney (.338) and Braeden Riley (.327) lead the Bearkats at the plate. Sam Houston likely will use several hurlers on Tuesday.
Michael Fuda (.359) and Jeremy Rathjen (.347) own the top averages for the Owls.
Following Tuesday's contest, Sam Houston heads on the road for a Southland Conference series against Lamar at Beaumont Friday through Sunday. The next home games for the Kats will be a Southland series with Nicholls Friday through Sunday April 23-25.
Tickets for Sam Houston State baseball 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.
For more information on exciting offers like the "Friday Family Pack Tickets" or "Super Tuesday" Mini-Pack Tickets, go to the ticket link 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 Friday Family Pack Tickets
