HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston split a Conference USA doubleheader with Jacksonville State on Saturday at Bearkat Softball Complex.
The Bearkats took the opener but let the lead slip away in game two to even the series at a game apiece.
Sam Houston 3, Jax State 1 (Game 1)
Sam Houston dug down deep and rallied to knock off Jax State 3-1 in game one of a Conference USA doubleheader at Bearkat Softball Complex.
The Bearkats fell behind 1-0 in the third inning thanks to a fielding error with two outs that brought home a runner. That was the only blemish on a stellar start in the circle for
Amy Abke, who did not allow an earned run in five innings.
Abke's performance kept Sam Houston in the game and set up some late inning heroics.
The Kats rattled off three straight hits to begin the bottom of the sixth inning.
Tricia Yarotsky led off with a single then moved to third on a double by
Brodie Quinlan as Sam Houston snatched the lead with a two-run single by
Julia Herzinger.
Kylie Hobbs dropped down a sac bunt to move Herzinger into scoring position.
Haleigh Carter grounded out, but pinch runner
Chandler Talbot was able to push the lead to 3-1 when she scored on a throwing error by the first baseman.
Abigail Young, who came on in relief of Abke in the sixth, tossed two scoreless innings to earn the victory and improve to 5-6 on the season.
Jax State 5, Sam Houston 3 (Game 2)
Sam Houston struck first but could not hold the lead as Jax State came from behind to capture a 5-3 victory in the finale of Saturday's doubleheader.
The Bearkats wasted no time jumping on Jax State in game two as
Ellie Grill walked on four straight pitches to begin the first.
Elia Hebel followed with a double off the top of the wall in right center to move Grill to third, and she scored on a sacrifice fly to left by
Julia Herzinger.
The Gamecocks came back to tie the game at 1 in the third on an RBI single. Back-to-back home runs put Jax State up for good at 3-1 in the fourth.
After Jax State scored an insurance run in the fifth,
Ellie Grill cut the lead to three with an RBI single off the wall in left-center field.
Elia Hebel blasted a solo shot to make it 5-3 in the seventh for the final run of the game.
