Championship in sight as Bearkats host HBU
5/18/2016 8:11:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – When the Sam Houston State baseball program reported in late January, head coach Matt Deggs laid out the expectations and goals for the program. First and foremost, was to win a Southland Conference regular season championship.
The Bearkats hope to have the opportunity, welcoming Houston Baptist for a three-game set beginning Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Sam Houston enters the closing weekend of the regular season one game behind league-leader Southeastern Louisiana, who visits Central Arkansas.
“That's the way we start every season and the way we'll always start every season – on a mission to win a conference championship,” Deggs said. “Playing for that on the weekend is really special. That's what we're here to do is win championships and that's what these kids are here to do.”
No team in the conference has been hotter than the Bearkats (34-19, 21-6), who have won 28 of the last 35 games, eight straight league series and are fresh off a 5-0 win at second-ranked Texas A&M on Tuesday.
In that outing, the right-handed combination of Dakota Mills and reliever Miles Manning recorded the squads' fifth shutout this season, marking the first time the Aggies had been blanked in nearly two full seasons.
“Our turnaround can be traced back to us identifying who we are on the bump,” Deggs said. “Coach (Jay) Sirianni has done an incredible job with the pitching staff and we've had guys pitch really well for us. The one solid thing we've had all year is three guys attack up front and a really solid back of the bullpen.”
After finishing 17-12 and fifth in conference a season ago, this year's resurgence has spanned all three phases of the game. In Southland games, Sam Houston is second in batting average (.311) and hits (289) while the defense has been superb, ranking tops in fielding percentage (.975) and the pitching staff boasts the league's second-best opponent batting average (.235).
“The biggest thing right now this time of the year is you've got to swing the bat and you've got to hit,” Deggs said. “We're pitching it pretty well but we're competing at the dish. That lightens the load on everything. This offense is clicking right now. I expect we'll carry that over.”
With the stakes this high, additional motivation may not be needed but it can be found in Houston Baptist (24-26, 12-15). A season ago, the Huskies downed the Bearkats in the Southland Conference Tournament championship game, sending Sam Houston packing one win shy of a fourth straight NCAA Regional appearance.
This season, the Huskies are fighting to make the Southland Conference Tournament, which takes place beginning next Wednesday in Sugar Land. Houston Baptist enters play ninth in the league standings, with the tournament taking eight teams.
“We already saw this last year, they're very well coach and they're dangerous,” Deggs said. “You want to talk about our back being against the wall, their back is really against the wall. That's what will make them doubly dangerous.”
Thursday's opener will mark the first time the Bearkats have played at Don Sanders Stadium in just over two weeks. Sam Houston returns from its seven-game road trip looking to capitalize at a venue where it has boasted a 19-6 record and has won seven straight.
“The boys like playing here,” Deggs said. “We have great fans and support. This is the best atmosphere in the Southland Conference hands down. The way the schedule happened to fall, we're going finish our schedule at home. We need to play one game at a time and empty our tanks on Thursday night.”
Sam Houston sends right-hander Heath Donica (8-3, 3.41 ERA) to the mound for the opener. Right-hander Riley Gossett (6-0, 2.99 ERA) will pitch Friday's 6:30 p.m. middle game and Saturday's starter has yet to be announced.
Prior to Saturday's 1 p.m. first pitch, Sam Houston will honor its six seniors. The class consists of Greg Belton (RHP), Jordan Church (RHP), Miles Manning (RHP), Hayden Nixon (LHP), Spence Rahm (RHP/1B) and Zach Smith (1B). The Bearkats will look to send them out as champions.
“You can never discount the power of brotherhood,” Deggs said. “That's what this team is. They play for each other. You can do incredible things when you don't care who gets the credit. You mix that with some talent, playing hard, loving and respecting the game, really good things can happen.
“To see them put themselves in a position to win a conference champion on the last weekend in a dang-good league, hats off to them because they deserve it.”
Texas Farm Bureau will be the official sponsor of Thursday's game and will be giving away promotional koozies and water bottles to the first 200 fans. Tickets are available for as low as $4 by visiting GoBearkats.com or calling the ticket office at (936) 294-1729.
