EDINBURG — Sam Houston came alive in the later innings to roll to a 9-4 victory over UTRGV on Friday evening in game one of a three-game WAC series.
The Bearkats (11-8 overall, 4-0 WAC) scored five runs in the seventh and four in the ninth to put the Vaqueros (9-8, 1-3) away. The two teams will play game two Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
UTRGV kept Sam Houston silent at the plate through the first six innings while building a 2-0 lead with runs in the first and second frames. The tide turned quickly in the seventh.
Justin Wishkoski dropped down a bunt for a single to begin the inning and raced around to third when
Easton Loyd singled up the middle. Loyd then stole second base and both batters scored on single to left field by
Carlos Contreras to tie it.
Myles Jefferson was hit by a pitch to setup a two-run double by
Tyler Davis to give the Kats their first lead at 4-2.
Joe Redfield brought in what would prove to be the game-winning run with a double to close out the scoring in the seventh.
UTRGV was able to cut the lead to one with runs in the bottom of the seventh and eighth, but Sam Houston wasn't done with its offensive onslaught.
Caleb Cotton pinch hit in to lead off the frame and laced a double down first baseline. Jefferson beat out a bunt for a single to move Cotton over and
Lane Brewster walked to load the bases.
Another free pass to Davis brought in a run, and
Walker Janek made it 8-4 with a fielder's choice and an error by the third baseman. Wishkoski brought in the final run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Coltin Atkinson earned the win by tossing 6 ½ innings with six strikeouts to improve to 3-0 on the season.
