STEPHENVILLE — It did not take long for Sam Houston to break out of its offensive slump after being shut out by Tarleton on Thursday.
In fact, it only took the first batter in game two of the WAC series at TSU Baseball Complex to end the nine-inning scoring drought.
Joe Redfield led off with a solo home run, one of six for the Bearkats (33-21, 22-7) on the day, as Sam Houston erupted for a 12-3 victory over the Texans to even the series on Friday. The Kats have a chance to win the WAC regular season championship with a win in the rubber match Saturday at 1 p.m.
Tarleton put up a fight early, coming back to tie the game with a solo blast in the bottom of the 2
nd off starter
Steven Beard.
Myles Jefferson was able give Sam Houston the lead in the fourth thanks to a Texan fielding error that put
Clayton Chadwick on first with two outs. Jefferson began his monster day at the plate by hitting an opposite field shot to right to make it 3-1.
Tarleton was able to tie the game when the Texans scored once again on a double play in the fourth and a three-base throwing error by catcher
Walker Janek in the fifth.
The Kats were about to heat up at the plate, however.
Janek walked, and
Myles Jefferson reached on a fielder's choice and stole second base to give Sam Houston a pair of runners in scoring position.
Easton Loyd was able to drop a two-run double down the left field line to push the lead to 5-3.
Redfield led off the seventh with a double, and
Justin Wishkoski walked as Janek set off a home run brigade with a three-run no doubter to left. Chadwick and Jefferson followed with solo shots for back-to-back-to-back home runs, and
Wes Folse capped the seven-run inning with a two-run blast to right.
Chandler David,
Alex Magers and
Gavi Coldiron shut the Texans down over the final four innings to preserve the win for Beard, who improved to 7-3 on the season.
