HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston's top-ranked defense in Southland Conference play has played an integral part in the squad's current hot streak. On Saturday, it was the bats that picked up defensive miscues in another win against Stephen F. Austin.
The Bearkats scored in five frames, pounding out 12 hits in an 8-6 victory against the Lumberjacks, securing the team's fourth-straight league-series win and 10th straight victory in conference play in front of 1,140 fans at Don Sanders Stadium.
“We learned a good lesson today and got to live to tell about it,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “They can really hit so you can't walk them and you can't give them extra outs. We made the plays when we needed to make them. Was it our best game? No, but we get to come out tomorrow and try to finish it.”
Sam Houston (18-13 overall, 11-3 SLC) committed four errors, the most by the team in league action this season, but were able to counter offensively with a trio of two-run innings and a much-needed towering home run by freshman Andrew Fregia in the eighth.
Sophomore Bryce Johnson was the catalyst, notching his 15th multi-hit game with a 3-for-4 performance including a two-run home run in the fourth. The long ball, which cleared the foul pole in right, was the second of his career, with the first also against the Lumberjacks (15-18, 4-10) a season ago.
The Bearkats fell behind 2-0 in the opening frame but responded with a pair of runs each in the first and second innings. After Johnson walked and swiped his 13th bag of the season, Zach Smith and Hunter Hearn followed with consecutive singles in the first, while Clayton Harp, making his first career start, drove a pitch to center field for a sacrifice fly.
Sam Houston tagged SFA starter Jarred Greene (4-2) for four hits, four runs and a pair of walks in just two innings of work. In the second, freshman Jaxxon Grisham utilized one of those free passes in the leadoff spot, moving to second on a Lance Miles single before scoring on a double to right from Johnson.
“For the most part, we were seeing the ball well,” Johnson said. “I can't tell you how many games we've been giving up runs in the first inning but we embrace it and come back and fight each inning. I feel like the freshmen are right there at my level. Just being able to have them make plays feels good.”
Bearkats starter Heath Donica (5-2) earned the win, shrugging off a shaky start, to toss 6 2-3 innings, permitting 10 hits and five runs (four earned). The right-hander, who tossed three scoreless frames between the fourth and sixth, matched a season-high eight strikeouts while walking two.
The bullpen again did its job, with Miles Manning fanning two SFA hitters and walking one in an inning of work before Greg Belton tossed the final 1 1-3 innings, allowing one hit and a run while striking out two to pick up his sixth save of the season.
“Every time they bring me in to close, everyone plays that hard for nine innings to get me in, so I do everything I can to shut the other team down and get us the win,” Belton said. “In my head, I just had to calm myself down and make sure I made my pitches.”
The Bearkats pushed their lead to 7-3, the final score of Friday night's game, with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth. While Johnson's homer provided the damage with no outs in the fourth, a two-out rally in the fifth was marked by a Grisham single and Miles double.
“We went with some younger guys today and had a couple silly mistakes there that cost us a few runs,” Deggs said. “Thankfully our offense is swinging the bat right now and getting big hits. That covered up some of that stuff but you're not going to get away with that every day.”
With wins by league-leader Southeastern Louisiana (25-7, 13-1) and second-place Lamar (24-7, 9-2), the victory helped the Bearkats keep pace with 14 conference games in the books and 13, including just two home series, remaining.
“We've been blessed to win conference championship in different leagues,” Deggs said. “If you can get to 10 (wins) through your first five conference series, generally that gives you a shot of getting to 20 and that is the magic number. Twenty is not going to be the magic number this year because Southeastern (Louisiana) is so good and Lamar is playing really well.
“To be at 11 in our fifth weekend with a chance for 12, that's a big game tomorrow. The way Southeastern is playing, it might take 25 wins. You can't take a day off. That's what makes this thing fun. It is a highly competitive baseball league.”
The Bearkats will seek a third-straight conference sweep at 1 p.m. on Sunday, handing the ball to right-handed pitcher Riley Gossett (3-0, 3.20 ERA). The freshman will be opposed by SFA's Patrick Ledet (2-1, 4.73 ERA). Tickets are available by calling (936) 294-1729 or by visiting GoBearkats.com.
