MIAMI — The Sam Houston softball team came up with the big plays with the game on the line to wrap up a Conference USA series victory with a 8-5 win over FIU on Sunday at Felsberg Field.
As was the case for the first two games, which the teams split, the Bearkats fell behind early. Like Friday's 4-3 victory, Sam Houston had the last laugh.
The Bearkats (19-28, 7-14 CUSA) loaded the bases in the top of the seventh of a 4-4 game with no outs with the chance to pull ahead. Julia Herzinger hit an RBI single and Brodie Quinlan hit a two-run double to bring the score to 7-4.
Haleigh Carter tacked on an important insurance run with a sacrifice fly to give Sam Houston a cushion. It was more than enough as the Panthers (19-28, 6-15 CUSA) managed just one run in the bottom of the seventh.
The Panthers jumped on the Kats in the first inning, putting up two runs. Sam Houston didn't faulter, however.
An extra base hit by Jordan Peno brought home Carter and Morgan Holliday to tie the game in the third. Ellie Grill hit an RBI single to give the Bearkats a 3-2 lead.
FIU responded with two more runs in the third, but Sam Houston in return responded with a home run from Hannah Scheaffer to tie the game and set the stage for the seventh-inning rally.
Daryn Grams earned the win by allowing one run in 1 2/3 innings in relief. Abigail Young tossed one scoreless inning to earn her first save of the season.
The Bearkats will return home to face Houston on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the final non-conference game of the season.
