HBU takes SLC opener from Kats

Friday, March 6

Huntsville

6:30 PM

6-6, 0-1

Houston Baptist

4-10, 1-0

Houston Baptist

Sam Houston State

Photo by: Brian Blalock

HBU takes SLC opener from Kats

3/6/2020 9:47:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE - Houston Baptist's Austin Spinney kept the Sam Houston State offense off balance all night and helped propel the Huskies to a 7-2 win in the Southland Conference opener on Friday at Don Sanders Stadium.

Spinney struck out eight and allowed just three hits in 7.1 innings for HBU (4-10, 1-0 SLC), who helped him out with 14 total hits, including six doubles. In all, six Huskies finished with at least two hits, while both Cal Clark and Brandon Bena had three RBI apiece.

Meanwhile, the Kats (6-6, 0-1 SLC) got two hits apiece from Jack Rogers and Colton Cowser, but did not muster up another base hit. Rogers finished with a pair of doubles, including one that drove in both of the Bearkat runs on the night in the eighth, and also had one of five walks drawn by SHSU hitters. But the Kats finished the night by stranding eight base runners and going 2-for-13 with runners on the bases.

Tyler Davis suffered his first loss of the year, despite striking out five and walking just one. But the right-hander surrendered 10 hits in his 6.2 innings of work, allowing just one run in his final 5.2 frames after HBU struck for three runs in the opening inning on three of their six doubles.

Tyler Davis gets the help of some great defense behind him, as he puts up a zero in the second.

Kats down 3-0 with Rogers to lead off B2#EatEmUpKats #NCAABSB

??https://t.co/3Uf0YZpVBa
??https://t.co/EGTqXsBcTF
??https://t.co/hP8Jo3iZBT pic.twitter.com/21x6XD8300
— Sam Houston State Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) March 7, 2020

The Kats had their chances as well, but a line-out double play in the second was followed by squandered scoring chances in the fourth and sixth innings. Meanwhile, HBU added onto its lead with an RBI single by Johnny Gonzales in the third and then iced it away in the seventh with another 3-run frame.

Sam Houston tried to make it interesting in the eighth when they loaded the bases with one out for Rogers. The junior then ripped a 2-run double into the right field corner, but HBU was able to get each of the next two Bearkat hitters to fly out.

Kats finally get on the board as Rogers laces a 2-run double to right field.

We trail 7-2 as we move to the 9th. LHP Kyle Backhus in from the pen. #EatEmUpKats #NCAABSB

??https://t.co/3Uf0YZpVBa
??https://t.co/EGTqXsBcTF
??https://t.co/hP8Jo3iZBT pic.twitter.com/nYDbWaYUBn
— Sam Houston State Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) March 7, 2020