Kats welcome UTSA, Texas Tech to The Don
2/22/2016 6:26:00 PM | Baseball
After a challenging three-game season opener at No. 6 Louisiana, the Sam Houston State baseball program returns to the friendly confines of Don Sanders Stadium for seven straight games, highlighted by Tuesday's 6:30 p.m. season opener against UTSA.
On Wednesday, the Kats (0-3) play the first of 15 games against preseason top 25 competition, welcoming No. 25 Texas Tech (3-1) at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to both games are currently on sale by visiting GoBearkats.com or calling (936) 294-1729. Chairback seating is $8 for UTSA and $10 for Tech, while general admission is priced at $6 and $8 for the two matchups.
Right-handed pitcher Greg Belton makes his debut against the Roadrunners (2-1). The senior made two starts a season ago, posting a 1-1 record and 2.19 ERA in 37 innings over 15 appearances. Belton's last start came in the Southland Tournament championship where he held Houston Baptist to two earned runs in 7 2-3 innings.
Against the Red Raiders, the Bearkats will trot out right-hander Jordan Church. The senior finished 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 28 1-3 innings last year.
Sam Houston is 6-4 all-time in home openers at Don Sanders Stadium, including an 8-5 come-from-behind victory last year against No. 32 Wichita State. In that game, the Bearkats rallied with four runs in the eighth, making the Deggs' debut a memorable one.
The Bearkats will look to recover from the opening three-game sweep against a UTSA ball club that took two-of-three at home against UConn last weekend. Sam Houston and UTSA has met 73 times previously with the Kats holding a 38-35 advantage. The Roadrunners claimed a 9-2 win in the last meeting (March 11, 2014), snapping an 11-game win streak for the Kats against the former Southland Conference rival.
Like UTSA, Texas Tech welcomed another team escaping the cold early in the season as the Red Raiders took three-of-four against Milwaukee, exploding for 36 runs, including 12 runs in the series opener and series finale.
Sam Houston senior Zach Smith led the Kats with a 4-for-8 performance on opening weekend, including a pair of doubles, while sophomore Bryce Johnson moved his hit streak to 17 consecutive games with a base knock in each outing. Junior shortstop Taylor Beene added three hits, as well.
