HUNTSVILLE – Cole Wesneski woke up Friday morning not knowing that he would be starting Sam Houston's first-ever game in WAC play, but the senior took full advantage of the opportunity.
Wesneski put up career highs with 10 strikeouts in 7.0 innings, not walking a batter as the Kats (8-5, 1-0 WAC) opened up WAC play with a convincing 12-4 win over Tarleton on a chilly and windy night at Don Sanders Stadium.
Despite games throughout the area being postponed or altered due to a cold front pushing through the area, the Kats an Texans (3-10, 0-1 WAC) chose to play through, braving temperatures in the 30s throughout the evening and gusting winds upwards of 20 mph.
That did not faze Wesneski or the Bearkat offense, which picked up right where it left off after its big weekend vs Texas Southern, reaching double digits in runs for the fourth straight game.
The Kats put up an early 3-spot in the first inning before surrendering two runs apiece in both the second and third frames; however, Sam Houston re-took the lead with four scores in the third to begin an onslaught of nine unanswered runs to pull away from the Texans.
Once again it was the reigning WAC Hitter of the Week,
Carlos Contreras, leading the way, reaching base in all five of his trips to the plate with four hits, three runs scored and a pair of RBI.
Clayton Chadwick had a pair of hits and scored four times in the game, while
Justin Wishkoski also crossed the plate three times.
Trent Touchet delivered three RBI of his own while
Easton Loyd,
Jacob Guerrero and
Walker Janek all had RBI as well.
Wesneski picked up his team-leading third win of the season, needing just 91 pitches to make his way through the 7.0 innings.
Gavi Coldiron was just as efficient in his 2.0 innings of relief, striking out a pair and retiring all six batters he faced.
For Tarleton, starter Luke Baley took the loss, allowing nine runs on six hits in 3.2 innings with only one strikeout. The Texans sent four arms to the mound in the game, striking out just three batters on the night.
The teams will square off once again on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at The Don. The game can be heard live on KSAM 101.7 FM.
