ST. GEORGE, Utah — Sam Houston fended off a pesky Utah Tech squad for a 6-3 victory to even a Western Athletic Conference series on Saturday at Bruce Hurst Field.
The Bearkats (21-15 overall, 13-4 WAC) and Trailblazers will play the rubber match on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Sam Houston used the long ball to jump out to 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Justin Wishkoski and
Joe Redfield connected on back-to-back singles with one out, and
Tyler Davis uncorked a three-run home run to right field.
Utah Tech fought back to tie the game with a run in the third and two in the fourth off starter
Steven Beard, who tossed 5 ½ innings to earn the win and improve to 4-2 on the season.
The Kats didn't waste any time retaking the lead in the top of the fifth. Davis reached on a fielder's choice with one out, and
Walker Janek greeted reliever Dakoda West with a two-run blast to left to make it 5-3.
Sam Houston added an insurance run in the thanks to a pair of throwing errors by the Trailblazers.
