HUNTSVILLE – After a crushing loss to Northwestern State on Friday night that saw Sam Houston squander a five-run lead, Bearkats starting pitcher Heath Donica did not leave anything to chance.
The junior tossed a complete-game nine innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run, while the late-inning magic this time came from the Bearkats bats in a 2-1 victory in the middle game of a three-game set in front of 1,032 fans on Saturday afternoon at Don Sanders Stadium.
“Obviously, Heath Donica did a tremendous job,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “He has given us rock-solid starts every time out. Today was the icing on the cake. He was the stopper when we needed a stopper and just went out and shut them down. He challenged the strike zone, was able to locate a second pitch and kept them on their heels.”
Donica (2-2) permitting back-to-back hits in the seventh, his only of the game, allowing NSU to take a 1-0 lead. However, in the eighth, Sam Houston's (7-12 overall, 2-3 Southland) bats, which had largely been held in check by NSU starter Chase Hymel came alive. Bryce Johnson legged out a lead-off single and advanced to second on a throwing error from the Demons' (9-9, 3-2 SLC) shortstop.
The second hitter, Riley McKnight offered up a perfectly placed bunt, to reach and put runners on the corners. Then, Matt Broadbent stepped to the plate in a pinch hit role, taking the first pitch to right field, plating Johnson. Lance Miles followed by reaching on the Demons second error of the frame, a chopper to third base, bringing home the go-ahead run.
“We never panicked,” Deggs said. “They are the same guys every day. Matt Broadbent hadn't played in a couple days and came off the bench to get a big hit there. This is a team that will keep getting better and better. Broadbent had a great approach and put a good swing on that ball.”
The Bearkats, who played error-free baseball in Friday's opener, showcased some leather on Saturday. Third baseman Andrew Fregia stole two hits away from the Demons in the third, the first with a diving stop and throw to first and the other on a hard-hitter liner.
“I was just focused on pitches,” Donica said. “The guys behind made unreal plays. Fregia made two diving plays in the same inning that were great. Evian Benjamin makes his first start and makes a great play out in left. I wasn't too concerned with having a no-hitter but I knew it was there.”
Combined with Sam Odom's seven-inning quality start on Friday, Sam Houston starting pitching has held the Demons scoreless through 16 innings. Donica also struck out three and walked a pair while tossing a season-high 116 pitches.
“Early on, I was commanding fastballs,” Donica said. "I mainly stuck with the fastball and worked both sides of the plate. Later on, I went more to the breaking ball and changeup. If I was throwing them away, I tried to sneak a few more in and I think that's where we had success, especially late.”
The squads exchanged zeroes for the first six frames with NSU's Hymel allowing just three hits and a pair of walks in 6 1-3 innings. Reliever Jeffrey Stoval (1-2) picked up the loss, allowing three hits and one earned run to seven Sam Houston hitters.
“You have to chalk up some of today on the conditions,” Deggs said. “It was a little chilly, the wind was blowing straight in. It makes it tough on the hitters. Both pitchers came out and challenged the strike zone. We had a chance to cash in a few times early and we didn't do it but we kept competing. A situation arose and we were able to capitalize.”
Sunday's rubber match is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the Bearkats sending Riley Gossett (2-0) to the mound. The freshman right-hander owns a 2.08 ERA, earning victories in his last two starts at New Orleans and Wichita State. The Demons have not yet announced a starter.
“It's good to see us respond, especially after last night,” Deggs said. “That would knock a lot of teams back. These guys are very resilient. They love to play and are the same team every day. That was good to see.”
