A third inning solo home run by first baseman Spence Rahm proved to be the game-winner as Sam Houston defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 3-2 Sunday to pick up the Bearkats' fifth Southland Conference series win of the season.
The Kats won the series opener 3-2 Friday but lost 4-2 to the Islanders Saturday. Sam Houston now stands 26-23 for the year and 15-9 in conference action. A&M-Corpus Christi drops to 21-13 for the year and 11-13 in the league.
Sam Odom (4-4) allowed only five hits in seven innings, striking out five Islanders. Odom faced 27batters. Ryan Brinley picked up his fourth save of the year, facing seven batters in the final two innings. He struck out two Islanders.
After the Islanders pulled within a run in the top of the fifth inning, Sam Houston's pitchers and defense retired 12 A&M-Corpus Christi batters in a row.
Sam Houston head coach Matt Deggs was impressed with Odom's performance on the mound.
"His last four starts have been money," Deggs said. "Sam was locating with his fastball and was able to get ahead with the breaking ball at times. It knocked those guys on their heels a little bit and then he comes at them with the fastball. He looked good today."
Left fielder Bryce Johnson went 3-for-4 at the plate and Rahm and designated hitter Spence Rahm each had two hits as the Kats out-hit the Islanders 9-6.
Catcher Collin Yelich started things in the second inning for the Bearkats with a double down the right field line. The hit moved second baseman Miles Manning who walked to third base. Manning scored on a ground out to shortstop by right fielder Travis Lee. Johnson singled to center field to score Yelich and put Sam Houston up 2-0.
The Islanders struck back with a run in the third inning as, with two out, center fielder Tyler Ware doubled to right field then scored on a single up the middle by right fielder Kyle Danford.
Rahm blasted his solo home run high over the left field fence with one out in the bottom of the third to extend the Bearkat lead to 3-1.
Third baseman Brandon Guilford led off the fifth inning with a double down the left field line, moved to third on a fly out to center field then scored on a ground out to pull the Islanders to within one, 3-2.
Islander center fielder went 2-for-4 at the plate. Devin Skapura (3-5) was the losing pitcher, giving up seven hits and all three runs in six innings of work. Nolan Holland pitched in relief
Sam Houston will break for final exams then return to Southland Conference action next weekend at Houston Baptist.
The Bearkats remain in the hunt for a top seed at the Southland Conferernce tournament in three weeks. Southeastern Louisiana (20-4) stands in first place with Northwestern State (16-7) second, McNeese State (17-10) in the chase as well.
