New Orleans, La. - Matt Shelton, Cody Dickson and Michael Burchett combined to hold Tulane to two hits and Braeden Riley and Ryan Mooney provided the RBIs as Sam Houston opened its 2011 baseball season with a 3-1 victory over the Green Wave Friday night.
Shelton, a senior, did not give up a hit during the first five innings, facing 21 batters.
Dickson, a freshman playing in his first college game, picked up the victory in relief. The Mansfield left-hander faced six batters, giving up one hit and striking out one.
Burchett, a sophomore, picked up the save after striking out three batters and giving up one hit in the final two innings. His third strike out ended the game in the bottom of the ninth.
Payton Wisener started the scoring in the first inning by reaching on a fielding error, then scoring on a single by Riley. Tulane tied the contest 1-1 in the bottom of the opening frame.
Both teams went scoreless in the next five innings. Mark Hudson smashed a two-out single and reached second on a botched pick-off before scoring on a double by Mooney.
Daniel Nottebart scored what eventually was the winning run in the eighth inning, doubling then moving to third base on a ground out and scoring on a wild pitch.
Chris Andreas saw his 26-game hitting streak end as the senior designated hitter went 0-for-4. The streak was the fourth longest in Southland Conference history.
Sam Houston and Tulane will battle again at 2 p.m. Saturday. The series ends Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Bearkats will open their 2011 home schedule Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. when Houston Baptist visits Don Sanders Stadium.
Tickets for Sam Houston baseball are onsale now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the SHSU 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 number is (936) 294-1729.
