HUNTSVILLE — Jake Tatom is making a habit of being a late-inning hero for Sam Houston.
The freshman designated hitter drilled his second walk-off double of the season to lift the Bearkats to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over UT Arlington in game two of a three-game WAC series Saturday at Don Sanders Stadium. Tatom also had the game-winner at home against Abilene Christian in game two of that series on April 8.
Saturday's win clinched the series win for Sam Houston following a 12-2 run-rule victory in the opener on Friday. The Kats remain in first place in the WAC at 20-6 and improved to 31-20 overall on the year.
UTA starter Zach Norris no-hit Sam Houston in the first two innings as the Mavericks were able to grab a 1-0 lead. The game was halted for a three-hour weather delay with one out in the bottom of the third.
Lane Brewster was able to drop down a bunt single once play resumed, but Norris, who stayed in the game, continued to frustrate the Kats and finished the day by allowing only two hits and zero runs. UTA added another run in the fifth to go up 2-0.
Sam Houston finally broke through with a run in the eighth inning as
Clayton Chadwick led off with a double. He came around to score on an RBI single by
Easton Loyd to cut the lead to one.
Braden Davis, who earned the win, came in and tossed a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to give the Kats a chance to either tie or win the game.
Tyler Davis drew a lead-off walk from reliever Matt Novis and scored on a double to right center by
Carlos Contreras. Tatom came to the plate with one out and drilled the second pitch he saw off the wall in center field to win it.
The series finale is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. weather permitting.
