HUNTSVILLE – For the second straight night at Don Sanders Stadium, Sam Houston State pitching stole the show. The time, however, it came from a guy making his first start this season.
The Bearkats' Dakota Mills, who did not make the travel squad to start this season but has since surged, tossed five strong innings, permitting just three hits while leading Sam Houston to a 5-0 victory against Texas Southern on Wednesday night.
“I didn't have the start that I thought I would to the season,” Mills said. “I kept grinding and Coach (Jay) Sirianni helped me out a bunch and I made some strides. I am happy to be an asset to the team and help us down this 10-game stretch where every win matters.”
The junior added three strikeouts to move to 1-1 on the season. In his last five appearances, Mills has allowed one run or fewer in each outing, boasting a 1.04 ERA in 17 1-3 innings of work during that span.
“Here's a guy that his back was against the wall,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “He stayed the course and persevered. He always had a great attitude. He got his opportunity and what you're seeing is him make the most of it.”
Sam Houston (29-17) got off to a quick start, scoring two runs in the opening frame. After Bryce Johnson walked and stole second, Lance Miles collected his second two-out hit in as many days, lining a double down the left field line. Clayton Harp, who finished 2 for 3, added another with an RBI single to center.
“I got good pitches to hit really,” Harp said. “I was able to make some good contact. I've been seeing the ball really well lately. I don't try to get too nervous when I get the start. I don't try to do too much. I just try to pick up my teammates.”
The Bearkats added two more in the fifth, highlighted by a leadoff bunt single from Taylor Beene and double from Andrew Fregia. A double-play ball added the second run before the Kats tacked on another insurance run in the sixth courtesy of one of four Texas Southern (19-22) errors.
Right-hander Jordan Cannon entered in relief for the first time since April 22, shutting down the Tigers in the final four frames. The freshman allowed just one hit and fanned a season-high four hitters.
“The biggest thing that came out of that was him getting back out there with a five-run lead in the ninth,” Deggs said. “That can weigh on a guy. We told him to face down the fear and go get them. He attacked really strong for four innings with a fastball and a good cutter.”
The victory capped the brief two-game homestand with Sam Houston hitting the road for seven straight, beginning with a three-game set at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi this weekend. The Kats have won 23 of 28 games and sit just one game back of Southland Conference-leader Southeastern Louisiana.
“This is when you play and the big dogs come out,” Deggs said. “This is the most fun time of year there is. School will be in the rear-view mirror after tomorrow, we're going to have a great bus ride down to Corpus and then it is baseball. We're going to make this thing go as long as we can.”
