HOUSTON – With two runners aboard, trailing by a pair of runs at Houston in the ninth, senior Zach Smith hit towering shot after towering shot just foul over the right field wall.
The nail-biting finish, which saw the Bearkats later plate a run to cut it to a one-run deficit for the second time on the day, would not go in Sam Houston's favor, however, as the Cougars hung on to a 4-3 win on Tuesday night at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
In the final frame, Bryce Johnson and Lance Miles reached on a single and infield error respectively, leading into Smith's at-bat which resulted in a fly out to deep right. Miles, who took third on the play, showcased his awareness on the base path, racing home on a wild pitch.
With catcher Robie Rojas at the plate and the tying run on second, the Kats were unable to extend the inning further as a sharp groundout to second base ended the threat.
“When you get doubled off in the second inning, that turned the tide,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “We had the momentum. We came off the field and they scored three. That's how quickly the game can change on you.
“We've got to do a better job of playing with the same intensity we did in the second and ninth innings. We let their guy settle in and he threw seven innings. This one is over and the good news is we get to come back tomorrow and play two.”
Sam Houston (25-17) took the early 1-0 lead in the second, using consecutive singles from Miles and Matt Broadbent to begin the frame. Smith stepped the plate, making it three straight, lining a first-pitch single up the plate to score Miles.
The Cougars (23-16) deficit was not for long, though, as Houston tagged Bearkats' starter Spence Rahm (0-4) for three hits, scoring as many runs while taking advantage of a pair of walks.
The senior would exit in the frame, tossing 1 2-3 innings, allowing three runs and three hits against 10 Houston hitters. The Bearkats were forced to head to the bullpen early, but received a major boost from right-handed reliever Dakota Mills.
“He did a great job by coming in and settling things down,” Deggs said. “He pounded the strikezone and got some early outs from them. That's three or four really good outings in a row. I really like what we got out of Dakota tonight.”
The junior tossed the final 6 1-3 innings, scattering four hits and allowing just one run – coming in the fifth. Mills set down 10 straight Houston hitters between the fifth and the eighth, finishing with a pair of strikeouts and only one walk.
“I just knew if I filled up the zone with the defense we have, they would make the plays,” Mills said. “Everyone who made plays behind me and made my job easier. I just think anyway I can help the team down this stretch, I am happy to.”
The Bearkats made it a one-run game as Taylor Beene belted a solo home run over the left field wall. The homer was his second in three games and gave Sam Houston new life after Cougars' starter Trey Cumbie (2-1) had seemingly settled in, recording five consecutive outs prior to the homer.
The Houston starter tossed 7 2-3 innings, allowing six hits and a pair of runs before making way for Nick Hernandez, who logged his seventh save, tossing the final 1 1-3 innings and allowing a hit and a run.
Sam Houston returns to Don Sanders Stadium on Wednesday, hosting Texas Southern for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (936) 294-1729 or by visiting GoBearkats.com.
