Kats prepare to host Texas State, visit Rice
3/27/2016 8:45:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston State baseball program is on a season-high six-game win streak. Two big non-conference games will put that to the test.
The Bearkats host Texas State on Monday at 6:30 p.m. before making a quick turnaround and traveling to Rice on Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. General admission tickets are available for as low as $4 with reserved seats starting at $6 by calling (936) 294-1729 or by visiting GoBearkats.com.
Sam Houston (12-12 overall, 6-3 Southland) is coming off a three-game sweep against Nicholls. In Thibodaux, La., the Bearkats picked up key performances from freshmen Hunter Hearn and Andrew Fregia. The duo each launched their first-career home runs, including Fregia's grand slam.
Combined with Tuesday's 16-5 home victory against Prairie View A&M, the Kats hit a combined .338 in four games last week, tallying 50 hits in 148 at-bats, while scoring 35 runs. On the mound, Greg Belton picked up a victory along with two saves, striking out seven hitters in five innings without allowing a run or walk.
Spence Rahm (0-2, 5.68 ERA) will make his first career start as a pitcher on Monday. The senior has made eight relief appearances, holding opponents scoreless in six including 2-3 innings against Prairie View A&M in his last outing.
Texas State (15-9) began its season with a bang but dropped three straight at South Alabama in the Sun Belt opener this weekend. The Bobcats are hitting .303 as a team while projected starter Jonathan Hennigan (2-0, 3.52 ERA) is making his second midweek start. Sam Houston has won five straight against the Bobcats including a 10-0 drubbing in San Marcos a season ago.
Meanwhile, Sam Houston and Rice (14-9) will meet for the second time this season. The Owls took the first matchup 8-3 at Don Sanders Stadium and have found their groove of late, winning six straight and eight of their last 10. Starting pitchers have not yet been announced.
Two Bearkats rank in the Southland Conference's top 15 in batting average with center fielder Bryce Johnson (.367) in 11th and left fielder Zach Smith (.354) in 13th. Johnson also checks in at second in stolen bases (11) and hits (36) while Smith is tied for first in doubles (9) and is second in on base percentage (.486).
Sam Houston plays seven of its next eight games at home, welcoming Central Arkansas this upcoming weekend and Stephen F. Austin the following weekend. For the latest on the program, follow @BearkatBaseball on Twitter and visit GoBearkats.com.
