NACOGDOCHES – The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks got a 2-run homer just three batters into the game and made that stand up for the rest of the night in a 2-1 win over Sam Houston in the series opener on Friday night at Jaycees Field.
SFA's (5-14, 1-6 WAC) Jake Zarrello connected on a 2-run homer in the bottom of the first inning and despite
Cole Wesneski turning in a heroic effort the rest of the way, the Sam Houston (12-10, 4-3 WAC) offense never could get going against the duo of Benny Emmons III and Skyler Jaco.
Emmons III made his appearance in a spot start and went 5.0 innings, allowing just one run before turning it over to Jaco who went the final 4.0 frames for the save.
The win for the 'Jacks gave them their first WAC win of the season and snapped a 10-game losing streak overall.
Wesneski fell to 3-2 despite going 7.1 innings, allowing just six hits and one walk while striking out six hitters.
The Kats' only true scoring threat came in the fifth when a leadoff single by
Easton Loyd and a 2-out walk to
Myles Jefferson set up
Lane Brewster who singled to right field to cut the lead to 2-1. Sam Houston had a chance to tie it up or take the lead later in the inning before a baserunning mishap squandered the chance.
From there, Jaco was nearly untouchable, retiring each of the first 11 hitters he faced with six strikeouts before a 2-out triple by
Carlos Contreras in the ninth.
The Kats and Lumberjacks will continue the series on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
