No. 18 Kats host No. 16 Texas on Wednesday
2/21/2017 7:03:00 PM | Baseball
Game 4
Wednesday, Feb. 22 • Huntsville, Texas • Don Sanders Stadium
#16 Texas vs. No. 18 Sam Houston State • Game Notes
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HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State continues its early-season tests on Wednesday, welcoming Texas to Don Sanders Stadium at 6:30 p.m. for the first-ever meeting between the in-state programs in Huntsville.
Gates will open 2 hours prior to first pitch and fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid any traffic congestion associated with Sam Houston softball's home opener taking place that afternoon. The game, presented by Gateway Apartments, marks the first battle between ranked opponents at The Don since No. 20 Sam Houston took on No. 17 Rice on March 5, 2014.
The Bearkats (2-1), who jumped five spots to No. 18 in the first regular-season Collegiate Baseball newspaper poll, will turn to right-handed pitcher Dakota Mills, looking for the same dominance the junior displayed a season ago.
Mills posted a 3.60 ERA over 13 appearances and five starts, with the most notable coming when the Meadows Place product shutout No. 2 Texas A&M in 6 2-3 innings, leading Sam Houston to a 5-0 victory.
While Mills awaited his next shot at the big stage, Sam Houston began its season taking 2-of-3 against Nevada. Friday starter Heath Donica recorded 14 strikeouts, the most for a Sam Houston pitcher since the team transitioned to Division I in 1987, while the new-look bullpen and the bats made their presence known in a series-clinching 8-2 win on Sunday.
Sam Houston catcher Robie Rojas led the charge against the Wolf Pack both at the plate and behind it. The senior posted a team-leading .556 average (5-for-9) while throwing out a pair of runners on the base path. Teammates Bryce Johnson and Andrew Fregia also got off to hot starts, finishing the weekend with a .333 and .308 average respectively.
In order to continue its streak of five-straight midweek wins, the Bearkats will need a strong effort against a Texas (2-2) program which currently ranks No. 16 after splitting four games with No. 21 Rice.
The Longhorns are led by first-year head coach David Pierce who made his mark at Sam Houston to the tune of three straight Southland Conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances from 2012-14. Pierce is joined by three former Bearkat assistants in Sean Allen, Philip Miller and Phil Haig.
The game will be televised on Spectrum Sports Texas and will be broadcast worldwide via ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN app. Tom Franklin and Jeff Power will have the call. General admission seats are also still available by calling (936) 294-1729 or by visiting GoBearkats.com.
QUOTABLES:
Head coach Matt Deggs on the matchup against Texas…
“It's a great test. Obviously, it goes without saying Texas is a great program. They are super well coached and have a bunch of players back. The culture they are putting is taking hold because it's obvious on TV watching them play. We'll have a good test on our hands tomorrow night.”
Head coach Matt Deggs on the familiarity between players on both teams…
“That's the great part about where we live and the state of Texas. A lot of times there is a carry-over from high school and summer league. Most of these kids nowadays, it's a different world we live in. They aren't separated by too many degrees. Most of them know each other and grew up playing together.”
Head coach Matt Deggs on Wednesday starter Dakota Mills…
“Dakota has really grown and matured since he got here. He has turned into a great man. He has a professional work ethic and he goes out and sets a great tone. He has earned the right to be our Tuesday guy and I expect him to go out there and get us off to a great start.”
Head coach Matt Deggs on playing at home and expectations of a large crowd…
“It's a definitive advantage when you sleep in your own bed and don't have to travel. Then you add the atmosphere we're fortunate enough and blessed enough to play in front of and the support we have. It's definitely to our advantage. It will be a great crowd tomorrow night. I know Texas travels well. At the end of the day, you still have to go out and fill up the strike zone, make routine plays and get big hits.”
Head coach Matt Deggs on playing ranked opponents in Texas and Louisiana this week…
“None of us showed up here to play give-me wins. We want to earn it and play the very best. Obviously, Texas is a storied program and one of the best programs of all-time UL is one of the big mid-major programs of all-time. You have to take it one game at a time and embrace the moment.”
Head coach Matt Deggs on the experience gained Opening Weekend…
“If you look back on the weekend, we got to experience a little of everything. We got to hold on to a 1-0 lead in a shutout. We got to claw back from behind and tie it up in the ninth. We played from behind on Sunday and came back to win. We covered just about every gamut of how you win a ballgame.”
