HUNTSVILLE – Coltin Atkinson and Michael Watson combined to strike out 14 St. John's hitters for Sam Houston, but the Red Storm arms blanked the Bearkat bats to take the series opener, 4-0, on Friday night at Don Sanders Stadium.
The loss snapped a 5-game win streak for the Kats (7-3), despite a quality start from Atkinson who tied a career high with eight strikeouts in 6.0 innings; however, he was touched up for three runs in the first three frames, which was all the Red Storm (3-3) needed to take the opener. It was the senior righty's first loss of the season and his first at Don Sanders Stadium since 2021.
As good as Atkinson was for the Kats, SJU's Xavier Kolhosser was up to the task as well. The Red Storm starter matched Atkinson's 6.0 innings and allowed six hits, but struck out five and did not issue a free pass for the first time this year to earn his second win.
He turned the ball over to a trio of relievers who allowed just one hit in the final 3.0 frames to the Kats and did not issue a walk until the ninth inning.
The Kats also got a stellar relief outing of their own as Watson struck out six batters of his own in 3.0 innings, not allowing a hit or an earned run.
Offensively, the Kats and Red Storm each finished with seven hits, but all seven of SHSU's were singles. Meanwhile, St. John's had a pair of extra-base hits, each scoring runs.
Walker Janek led the SHSU offense with a 3-for-4 night, while Lane Brewster went 2-for-4. Brady Christensen and Jace Martinez also finished with a hit each.
Atkinson worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first, but was not so fortunate in the second when the Red Storm struck with consecutive 2-out hits for its first score of the game, coming on an RBI double by Jackson Tucker.
St. John's added two more an inning later when Jimmy Keenan connected on a 2-run homer to up the lead to 3-0.
Sam Houston had its best threats of the night in the fourth and fifth innings, but Kolhosser was able to work out of each jam unscathed.
The Kats will look to square the series with the Red Storm on Saturday with the second game of the series set for 3:00 p.m. The game can be heard on BSN with Jason Barfield on the call. Fans can hear the game on GoBearkats.com or by downloading the Bearkat Sports app.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The Kats are now 0-2 all-time vs St. John's.
- The Kats were shut out at home for the first time since a 1-0 loss to Lamar on April 30, 2022.
- Walker Janek is now the lone Kat to have hit safely in all 10 games this year. He has hit in 14 consecutive games overall, dating back to the end of the 2023 season.
- Coltin Atkinson tied a career high with his eight strikeouts, a mark he had put up twice previously in his career.
- He took the loss, which was his first at Don Sanders Stadium since his first career home appearance on February 28, 2021 vs UTSA.
- The 14 strikeouts by Bearkat pitching was the most in a game since punching out 15 vs Utah Valley on April 23, 2023.
