A two-run double in the first inning by designated player Tayler Gray and an RBI triple in the sixth by right fielder Alex Survant powered Sam Houston to a 5-4 victory over Central Arkansas on the second day of the Baylor Softball Classic in Waco Saturday.
Centerfielder Tori Benavidez led the Kats at the plate, going two for two and scoring two runs. The Bearkats totaled seven hits as they ended a three-game losing streak to up their 2011 season record to 7-11.
Tomi Garrison (5-5) was the winning pitcher for Sam Houston. Garrison went the distance, spreading 10 hits over seven innints and striking out eight Bear batters.
Second baseman Alyssa Coggins, third baseman Shelbi Gray and catcher Ashley Isbell each collected one hit.
The Kats jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first and added another run in the fourth. A pair of runs in both the second and fifth innings allowed UCA to tie the contest 4-4. Survant's game-winning hit came with two out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sam Houston will complete play in the tournament Sunday with a rematch with Central Arkansas and a game against Louisiana-Monroe.
The Bearkats open their 2011 Southland Conference campaign with a three-game series Tuesday and Wednesday in Nacogdoches with Stephen F. Austin.
