Belton honored by Southland following weekend
5/16/2016 3:08:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State baseball closer Greg Belton has been shut down in key situations this season. On Sunday, in a pair of pivotal games at Lamar, he posted arguably his finest performance.
Belton was named Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday after throwing the final four innings to earn the save against the Cardinals and turning around to make the start 30 minutes later, tossing five innings to earn the victory.
The senior threw a combined 128 pitches in nine innings, limiting Lamar to a .161 batting average. Belton's save in the opener was his 10th of the season moving him into a second-place tie for saves in a season in Sam Houston history.
“We're at the time of the year where heroes step up,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “We're in the midst of writing a story that's pretty special. Greg Belton is a gigantic part of that story. He's one of the most selfless guys I have been around.”
In the middle game, Belton held Lamar to just two hits during four innings, leading Sam Houston to a 9-4 win. In the finale, he permitted three hits and one runs during five frames. The series win was the Bearkats' eighth-straight in league action.
“It means to the world to me to be able to come up in these big spots,” Belton said. “They put up runs and it just gives me the confidence to throw up zeroes for them. You play the game to have a chance at getting that ring. We have a chance to next weekend.”
For Belton, the accolade was his second in three weeks. On April 25, Belton was honored after picking up two saves and as many wins. The Montgomery product tossed eight innings, holding Baylor and Abilene Christian to a .115 batting average as part of a 4-0 week.
The pair of performances moved Sam Houston to one game back of league-leader Southeastern Louisiana entering the final weekend. The Bearkats, who visit No. 2 Texas A&M on Tuesday, host Houston Baptist beginning Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
