Sam Houston, Baylor meet Tuesday in Waco
4/18/2016 5:17:00 PM | Baseball
WACO – Much has changed for the Sam Houston State baseball program since its first meeting against Baylor on March 1. With 28 games behind them since the Bears downed the Bearkats 5-1 at Don Sanders Stadium, Sam Houston hopes this meeting will be different.
The Bearkats conclude their six-game road trip on Tuesday, visiting Baylor for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. Sam Houston sends right-hander Spence Rahm (0-3, 7.71 ERA) to the mound, looking to build on its current hot stretch which includes 16 wins in the last 21 games.
Sam Houston (21-16) is clicking at the right time entering the stretch run, coming off a historic weekend sweep at Incarnate Word that saw the Bearkats pound out a combined 43 runs on 61 hits while posting a .466 batting average. Most importantly, the results pushed the Bearkats into sole possession of second place in the league standings, just ½ a game behind Southeastern Louisiana.
Leading the charge was freshman Clayton Harp, who became the first Southland Conference freshman to go 7 for 7 in a game, doing so on Friday against the Cardinals. The El Campo product added five RBIs and four runs scored and was named the league's hitter of the week on Monday.
The Bearkats have gone 3-5 this season against Big 12 Conference opponents, with all three victories coming against Oklahoma. Despite the record, several players have posted strong marks against the league, led by Matt Broadbent, who has hit .360 (9 for 25) in those games.
For Baylor (17-19), the midweek matchup comes at a time when the program is looking to right the ship after dropping three straight at Oklahoma State. The squad has lost five of its last seven but is 2-0 against the Southland Conference including a 6-3 win against Lamar last Wednesday.
The Bears turn to right-hander Austin Stone (0-1, 4.91 ERA) who is making his second start this season and first since March 22 at UT-Arlington. In that game, Stone drew the loss, lasting 1 2-3 innings, allowing three hits and four runs (two earned) while walking a pair.
Tuesday's meeting will be the 103rd all-time between the two programs with Baylor holding a 61-41 edge. The squads have split the last 10 meetings, although the Bearkats have won three straight at Baylor Ballpark including a 4-3 win a season ago.
In that game, current Friday night starter Sam Odom logged his second career save, permitting just one run while striking out two in the final 3 1-3 innings. Rahm, who now looks to stave off the Baylor offense, tallied a 1-for-3 performance including an RBI single as part of a four-run fourth inning.
The Bearkats return to Southland action, and home play, this weekend against Abilene Christian. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with Saturday slated for 3 p.m. and Sunday's finale at 1 p.m. Tickets are available through the Sam Houston ticket office by calling (936) 294-1729 or visiting GoBearkats.com.
