Huntsville - Sam Houston extended its winning streak to 11 games and opened its 2011 Southland Conference baseball campaign with a victory as the Bearkats rallied for a 4-3 win over UT-Arlington Friday night at Don Sanders Stadium.
Consecutive RBI singles by third baseman Kevin Miller and catcher John Hale brought in the tying and go-ahead runs in fourth inning after Sam Houston had trailed 1-0 and 2-1.
Center fielder Mark Hudson brought in what proved to be the winning run with a two-out, bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh. Notterbart opened the inning reaching first on an error. Payton Wisener walked and Braeden Riley was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Senior right-hander Matt Shelton spread eight hits over seven and two-thirds innings on the mound for SHSU to run his season record to 3-0.Shelton struck out seven Maverick batters.
Michael Burchett picked up his third save of the year, getting the final four outs.
Sam Houston now stands 12-2 for the year while UTA dropped to 6-7.
UTA struck first as centerfielder Ryan Walker led off the third inning with a single then scored on a single to left field by catcher Chad Comer.
The Bearkats evened the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third as first baseman Daniel Nottebart singled moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on second baseman Ryan Mooney's single.
UTA first baseman Cody Dyvis walked to open the fourth inning, stole second and scored on an error in left field after a single by shortstop Daniel Jordan.
Two one-out walks in the bottom of the fourth set up the RBI singles by Miller and Hale gave Sam Houston a 3-2 lead.
Jesse Payne's pinch hit single scored Brian Nephew in the top of the ninth after the third baseman doubled to left center.
Sam Houston and UT-Arlington will meet in the second game of the series Saturday at 2 p.m.
Tickets for all Sam Houston home athletic events are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the SHSU athletic ticket office at 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.
