AUSTIN — The Sam Houston softball team used a six-run sixth inning in the nightcap to earn a split during day one of the Lone Star State Invitational at McCombs Field Friday.
 
After falling to host No. 7 Texas to open the tournament, the Bearkats (2-2) blasted Southland Conference rival Lamar 12-6. Sam Houston collected 15 hits against the Cardinals (2-10).
 
The Bearkats will head to San Marcos today to conclude the Lone Star Invitational. Sam Houston will play Texas State Ole Miss at 11 a.m. and Texas State at 3:30 p.m.
 
Game 1
No. 7 Texas 9, Sam Houston 3
 
The Bearkats drove in the first earned run of the season off the Longhorns, but back-to-back three-run innings in the second and third proved to be the difference as Texas (5-0) came away with a 9-3 victory.
 
Sophomore Regan Dunn hit a one-out double in the fourth inning and came around to score on a bunt single to short by senior Kayte Martinez off Longhorn starter Ryleigh White. It was the first earned run the Texas had given up in four games to begin the season.
 
Sam Houston scored its first run in the third. Junior Sheridan Fisher led off the inning with a single through the left side of the infield and came around to score with two outs on a pair of errors.
 
The Bearkats added their final run in the top of the seventh when freshman Ellie Grill drew a leadoff walk. Freshman Hannah Schaeffer followed with an RBI double to right-center field.
 
Sam Houston outhit Texas 7-6 with Schaeffer and Grill leading the way with two.
 
Game 2
Sam Houston 12, Lamar 6
 
Sam Houston scored nine unanswered runs to come from behind to knock off Lamar 12-6 in game two of the Lone Star State Invitational Friday in Austin.
 
After trailing 4-3 through two innings, the Bearkats took the lead in the fourth when sophomore Kyndal Kutac singled and came around to score on an RBI hit by senior Megan McDonald. McDonald made it 5-4 when she came home on a fielding error by the left fielder following a single by freshman Emily Telg, who also launched her second home run of the season in the seventh for the final run of the game.
 
Sam Houston broke the game open with six runs in the sixth inning.
 
Senior Kayte Martinez hit a leadoff single. McDonald followed with a single and both players came home on an error by the right fielder. Freshman Hannah Schaeffer singled in a run, sophomore Kyndal Kutac brought in two more with as hit up the middle and the final run came on another error to make it 11-4.
 
 
The Bearkats also scored in the first on RBI singles by Schaeffer and freshman Kylie Hobbs.
 
Sophomore Regan Dunn had control issues early, surrendering four runs on seven walks and a hit batter. She settled in and tossed three consecutive scoreless innings to improve to 1-0 on the season.