HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston softball team used a four-run third inning to pull away from McNeese for a 6-1 victory in game one of a three-game Southland Conference series at the Bearkat Softball Complex on Friday evening.
 
The Bearkats (5-13, 2-2) broke the game open in the third when freshman Ellie Grill reached on a one-out bunt single and freshman Emily Telg was hit by a pitch. Freshman Courtney White followed with a two-run double to right center field to make it 4-1.
 
Sophomore Kyndal Kutac singled in another run, and freshman Kylie Hobbs ripped a doubled to left center to cap the scoring for Sam Houston.
 
The Cowgirls (10-14, 2-2) struck first with a solo home run in the first inning, but starting pitcher Regan Dunn kept McNeese off the board after that to improve to 3-3 on the season.
 
The Bearkats scored in the bottom of the first when senior Megan McDonald, who went 2 for 4 at the plate, came home from third after Grill was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Kutac broke the tie with a solo blast down the left field line in the second inning.
 
The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon.