HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston pitching staff struck out 17 hitters and the offense erupted for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to pick up a 9-4 win over Little Rock on Saturday night at Don Sanders Stadium.
 
The Bearkats (21-19) led 2-0 for the first five frames after a 2-run first inning home run by Jack Rogers, but had to play catch-up after the Trojans (19-22) pushed across four runs in the top of the sixth.
 
Three of those scores were charged to Bearkat starter Dominic Robinson, who had been brilliant through his first five frames and took a no-decision after tying a career high with 10 strikeouts in his outing.
 
But Sam Houston answered with six runs in the bottom half of the inning, getting RBI singles by Colton Cowser, Bryce Holmes and Christian Smith to go back ahead before tacking on three more scores.
 
That inning put Cole Wesneski in line for the win after he closed out the sixth, but it was freshman Coltin Atkinson who took it the rest of the way. The righty allowed just one hit in the final 3.0 scoreless frames, striking out six Trojans on his way to his second save of the season.
 
The Kats will look to secure the weekend series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at The Don.