HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston State offense has been hitting at a torrid pace. Despite being slowed down early, Sam Houston used a mix of power baseball and strategic play to down Houston Baptist 6-3 in the first of two at Don Sanders Stadium on Friday.
With the win, the Bearkats (35-19, 22-6 SLC) enter the nightcap in a tie for first place with Southeastern Louisiana for the first time this season. After the Lions loss on Friday night, Sam Houston controls its own destiny with two games left for both teams.
The squads return for the second game of the doubleheader at 6:30 p.m. with Sam Houston sending Riley Gossett (6-0, 2.99 ERA) to the mound against the Huskies (24-27, 12-16 SLC).
Andrew Fregia launched a two-run home run in the sixth, his team-leading eighth of the season, giving Sam Houston a 4-2 lead. The Bearkats added another with some assistance to the Huskies, as Robie Rojas followed with a walk and found his way home, helped by a wild pitch and passed ball.
In the seventh, Matt Broadbent came in to pinch hit, lifting a ball to deep left with Taylor Beene standing at third. Beene, who reached on a leadoff walk, would score on the play, giving Sam Houston a 6-2 cushion.
After putting runners aboard in the first three innings, Sam Houston capitalized in the fifth. With Jaxxon Grisham aboard on a full-count walk, Clayton Harp drilled a double down the right field line to place runners on second and third.
Then, Taylor Beene put the ball deep enough into right to score a speedy Grisham. One hitter later, Bryce Johnson hit a high chopper to second, scoring Harp and giving the Bearkats a 2-1 lead.
The Huskies jumped ahead in the second, using a one-out single and stolen base to get things going. With two down, number-nine hitter Brandon Morones, down to his last strike, delivered a single to through the right side to give Houston Baptist a 1-0 advantage.
After Sam Houston took its one-run edge in the fifth, the Huskies responded in top half of the sixth, tying the game with fourth including an RBI liner to shallow center, effectively chasing Donica. With Miles Manning on in relief, the right-hander induced a fly out to left to strand a pair.
In the seventh, Manning hit two consecutive batters with one out and Sam Houston opted to bring in closer Greg Belton. The right-hander helped turn an unconventional double play, striking out Austin Zillweger. Rojas fired down to second and the Kats caught the base runner 2-4-5 between second and third.
Manning earned the win, improving to 5-3. Meanwhile, Greg Belton, who allowed just two hits and one run in the final 2 2-3 innings, moved into sole possession of second place in team lore for saves in a season with 11.
Sam Houston starter Heath Donica tossed 5 2-3 innings, allowing eight hits and two runs while striking out five and walking one. The Huskies' Zach Carter drew the loss, permitting six runs (five earned) on five hits and as many walks. The right-hander fell to 2-4 and fanned a pair.
