LAFAYETTE, La. – Big innings have been challenging for Sam Houston State to overcome this season. Against talented pitching, it can be almost impossible.
After falling behind seven runs, Sam Houston got on the board in the eighth and added two more with no outs in the ninth before eventually falling 7-3 to Arizona in Game 1 of the Lafayette Regional.
The Bearkats (41-21) are relegated to the losers' bracket of the double-elimination tournament and will face the loser of top-seeded Louisiana and four-seed Princeton on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“We'll come out tomorrow and be the same ballclub,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “We'll come out, play fast, hard and loose and see what happens. I've been in this position before. All you want to do is win tomorrow. Last time I was here, I was in this exact same spot. We lost the first game and won the next four but you've got to take it one game at a time.”
Staring down a six-run deficit entering the ninth, the Bearkats emptied the bench and received key performances from several players. Pinch hitter Spence Rahm reached on an error before moving up to second on a Barrett Koerselman single up the middle.
With Mac Odom on to pinch run for Koerselman, Andrew Fregia belted a two-run double down the left field line to plate both Odom and Rahm and make the deficit four runs with no outs before failing to muster anything more.
“It helped us get back to who we are,” Miles said. “Our approach tightened up. We stuck to our guns right there at the end. We had some veteran at bats and some guys started swinging at good pitches. Doing that there in the ninth inning is a good sign but we expect to come out and do that every single inning.”
Junior Lance Miles, who joined Taylor Beene and Fregia with a two-hit game, drove an RBI single to left in the eighth, scoring Josh Biles, who pinch hit and shot a first-pitch double to left center.
The Wildcats (39-20) struck a season-high three home runs, including a three-run homer from Ryan Aguilar in the fourth. Two pitches later, Arizona made is back-to-back with a solo homer for a 4-0 advantage.
“They spun the game on us right there,” Deggs said. “I really thought we'd come back and respond but you have to tip your cap to (Nick) Bannister. That's what an All-American does. He has a lot of poise and a lot of attack. When they score and hang zeroes on us, it keeps the momentum on their side.”
Sam Houston starter Heath Donica (10-4) was chased after 4 1-3 innings, allowing eight hits and four runs while striking out three. Left-handed reliever Hayden Nixon was unable to slow down the damage, permitting four hits and three runs in 1 1-3 innings.
“I felt fine,” Donica said. “I don't think that was something that was an issue. I felt strong but I didn't make pitches when I needed to. I got behind in too many counts. When you're not locating the fastball, a good team like Arizona is going to punish those mistakes.”
Right-hander Jordan Cannon made his first appearance on the mound since May 20, fanning a pair while allowing just one hit in two innings.
For the Wildcats, Bannister (10-2) was lights out for seven innings, scattering four hits while allowing three walks and striking out four Sam Houston hitters. Arizona struck for 13 hits in their first postseason game since winning the 2012 College World Series.
“We're going to play tomorrow like we're not afraid for this thing to end,” Miles said. “It's an elimination game. Obviously, we know if you lose, you're done, but we're going to enjoy being with our brothers and best friends. We have some really good senior guys on this team and I want to see them play as long as possible.”
Sam Houston will throw right-handed freshman Riley Gossett (7-0, 2.57 ERA). The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. Fans can also listen online at ksam1017.com with Kooter Robertson and Jason Barfield on the call.
