HUNTSVILLE – A 5-run second inning from Missouri State was too much for Sam Houston to overcome on Sunday as the Bears secured the series with a 9-3 win in the series finale at Don Sanders Stadium.
Missouri State (2-1) was held scoreless in the first inning for the first time on the weekend, but plated five runs on four RBI singles in the top of the second and never looked back. Left-hander Tyler Chandler got the start and struck out seven Bearkats (1-2) while allowing just one run in 5.1 innings for his first win of 2025.
The Kats trailed 6-0 before getting on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Brady Christensen and Chris Benavidez started the inning with consecutive doubles; however, Sam Houston got no more across in the inning and the Bears got the run back an inning later.
The two-baggers were the only extra-base hits for the Kats until a triple from Blake Brown in the ninth. Brown went on to score two of the Kats' three runs on the day, with Sam Lee and Ty Marthiljohni each picking up RBI.
On the mound, starter Cole Marthiljohni took the loss after allowing five runs in 1.1 innings before handing it over to Devin Bennett out of the pen. Bennett went on to strike out four and allow just two runs in 4.2 frames. Felix Schlede and Ethan Coronel each made their Bearkat debuts with Schlede firing 2.0 scoreless relief innings.
UP NEXT
Sam Houston will next travel to Rice for its first midweek game of 2025, set for Tuesday at Reckling Park. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. with the game to be aired on ESPN+.
