Sam Houston had a 5-3 lead over A&M-Corpus Christi heading to the ninth inning but couldn't hang on and eventually fell 6-5 in the 11th inning Saturday. The Bearkats and Islanders will play the rubber game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Kats scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie. Reliever Jason Simms went to the mound in the ninth for his third inning of work.
Simms was just one strike away from ending the game with runners on second and third, when second baseman Cody Stephens singled to drive in two runs and tie the game 5-5.
Logan Boyd came on to pitch the 11th inning and Stephens struck again. With runners on first and second, Stephens singled up the middle to drive in the game-winning run. The Bearkats went down in order in the bottom of the 11th.
Starter Andrew Godail pitched six innings allowing just three runs, two earned, on six hits and three walks. Godail struck out two batters.
Right fielder Romeo Cortina was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Shortstop Carter Burgess was 3-for-5 with a run scored. Third baseman Kevin Miller was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.
Game three of the series is at 1 p.m. Sunday at Don Sanders Stadium.
