BATON ROUGE, La. — The Sam Houston State softball team split its final pair of games on the second day of LSU's Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Kats (6-9) came from behind in the first game of the day against Belmont, ultimately winning it 4-3 with help from freshman Emily Telg's first career home run.

In the second game versus No. 6 LSU, it was all Tigers, as they scored 20 runs off 11 hits, putting the run rule into effect in the fifth inning.

Game 1 • Sam Houston State 4, Belmont University 3
In the first game, Belmont was the first to score, plating two runs in the top of the second with the help of a couple of walks and an error.

Sophomore Regan Dunn was given the start in the circle, pitching 2 2/3 innings. Dunn exited the game in the top of third after consecutive walks and a double to left-center to load the bases for the Bruins. Senior Karina Sanchez (1-3), came in to relieve Dunn, getting out of the bases-loaded jam with a strikeout.

Sanchez finished the game strong, going 4 1/3 innings with two hits and four strikeouts and to earn the win.

On the offensive side, the Bearkats collected seven hits from five different players, Ellie Grill, Brooke Malia, Sheridan Fisher, Bailey White and Emily Telg.

The first run came after senior Hunter Ervin walked and her pinch runner later scored on a wild pitch. SHSU would score again in the bottom of the third, after singles from Grill and Malia, tying things up with the Bruins 3-3.

The bottom of the fourth saw Sam Houston take its first lead after Telg hit a shot down the left-field line.

The Bearkats defense held strong for the rest of the game, holding on to take it 4-3.

Game 2 • Sam Houston State 4, No. 6 LSU 20 (5 innings)
The Bearkats met with LSU's explosive offense yet again on Saturday.

SHSU was first to get on the board, leading 1-0 with the help of singles from senior Tiffany Thompson and Malia and an error.

In the bottom half of the first, the Bearkats were their own worst enemy, after eight walks led to an 11-run frame.  

Down 12-1 after four innings, SHSU was able to score three more runs in the top of the fourth. A couple of walks and a wild pitch allowed the Bearkats to score their second run of the game. Junior Kayte Martinez then singled to center field, earning two RBI's which cut the Tigers' lead  to 12-4.

LSU added eight more runs in the bottom half of the fourth to close things out, 20-4.