HUNTSVILLE – The UTRGV Vaqueros were able to score in six consecutive innings to take the series opener, 10-4, over Sam Houston on Friday night at Don Sanders Stadium.
UTRGV (15-10, 5-5 WAC) put up all 10 of its runs from the second through the seventh innings, overtaking an early Bearkat (15-11, 6-4 WAC) advantage to even its league record for the year in the first meetings between the programs since 2008.
Sam Houston got three hits from
Justin Wishkoski, including an RBI single in the second inning that gave the Kats a 3-1 lead, but the Vaqueros were red hot throughout the night with every hitter registering at least one hit, including 3-RBI nights from both Cameron Blake and Bryan Sturges.
Cole Wesneski was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs in just 4.0 innings, while
Blaine Romero turned in a stellar relief appearance with four strikeouts in 3.0 shutout innings with only one hit allowed.
The Kats were able to get to WAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Kevin Stevens with the three early runs, but the Vaquero ace was still able to muster up 5.0 innings of work before handing it off to the bullpen. Angelo Cabral then faced just six hitters before running into trouble and passing the torch to closer Ricky Gerik Jr., who was nearly untouchable.
He went the final 3.1 innings with five strikeouts, allowing just one baserunner for his fourth save of the year.
Sam Houston and UTRGV will play Game 2 of the series on Saturday at The Don with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
