Houston - Preseason All-Southland Conference centerfielder Tori Benavidez posted two of the Bearkats' four hits as Sam Houston State opened its 2012 softball tournament with a 5-0 loss to No. 16 ranked Oklahoma State Friday afternoon.
The start of the contest was delayed two-and-a-half hours due to rain. The game was the first of four Sam Houston will play this weekend in the University of Houston Softball Classic.
Cowgirl pitcher Simone Freeman struck out 15 of the 25 batters she faced. Left fielder Tamara Brown gave OSU a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning.
Catcher Taylor Woodall hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning and Brown added another RBI single in the fifth frame to complete Oklahoma State's scoring.
Benavidez led off the game with a single in the top of the first and picked up another single in the sixth inning. Alyssa Coggins and Amy Pelton each singled in the third and seventh innings, respectively.
Senior right-hander Tomi Garrison started in the circle for the Bearkats, striking out four Cowgirl batters and giving up eight hits. Shelby Lancaster threw in the final inning.
Saturday, Sam Houston is scheduled to play North Texas at 9 a.m. and the University of Houston at 3 p.m. The Bearkats will have a rematch with UH Sunday morning to complete play in the tournament.
