Games 5-7 | Don Sanders Stadium (Huntsville)
Sam Houston (1-3, 0-0 CUSA) at NJIT (0-4, 0-0 America East)
GAME 1 - Friday, February 20 – 3:00 p.m.
Projected Starters
SHSU: RHP Ryan Peterson (0-1, 5.40 ERA, 5.0 IP, 8 K, 4 BB)
NJIT: LHP Holden deJong (0-1, 6.75 ERA, 4.0 IP, 5 K, 3 BB)
GAME 2 - Saturday, February 21 – 1:00 p.m.
Projected Starters
SHSU: RHP Tate Hickman (0-1, 8.31 ERA, 4.1 IP, 6 K, 2 BB)
NJIT: RHP Brandon Peterson (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 0 K, 4 BB)
GAME 3 - Saturday, February 21 – 4:30 p.m.
Projected Starters
SHSU: TBA
NJIT: TBA
GAME 4 - Saturday, February 22 – 12:00 p.m.
Projected Starters
SHSU: TBA
NJIT: TBA
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston Bearkats return to Don Sanders Stadium this weekend when it hosts NJIT in a four-game series beginning Friday afternoon.
Friday's opener was originally scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch, but was moved up due to the likelihood of poor weather in the area later in the day. The game will also no longer be aired on ESPN+, and can be heard live via the Bearkat Sports Network.
The game can be followed via live stats or by following @BearkatsBSB on X and Instagram.
With weather issues likely throughout the weekend, fans are encouraged to keep tabs on the Bearkats' social media outlets and GoBearkats.com for any alterations to the weekend schedule.
The Bearkats will be looking to get back in the win column after having dropped each of their last two games, including a defeat at Rice on Wednesday afternoon in frigid temperatures in Houston. NJIT, meanwhile, did not have a midweek game on the slate and instead will be playing its second straight weekend 4-game series after having been swept by High Point a week ago.
The Bearkat bullpen was strong against the Owls on Wednesday, striking out eight and allowing just two runs in 5.0 innings, but the pitching staff will be looking to hang more early zeros this weekend after having allowed runs in the first inning in three of four game to date.
Right-hander Ryan Peterson will get his second straight series-opening start on Friday after having struck out a career-high eight hitters in 5.0 innings of the season opener last Friday vs Missouri State. Tate Hickman is scheduled to get the ball in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader, while Saturday's nightcap and Sunday's series finale still have starters to be determined.
At the plate Sam Houston has been led by its pair of upperclassmen lefties in
Hunter Autrey and
Brady Christensen, each of whom have hit safely in each of the four games thusfar this year. Autrey is off to a torrid start to his final campaign as a Bearkat, homering twice and driving in eight runs in the first two games vs Missouri State. Meanwhile, five of Christensen's six hits this year have been for extra bases.
ALL-TIME SERIES vs NJIT
- The series will mark the first meeting between the Bearkats and Highlanders. In fact, it will be the first time Sam Houston has ever faced an opponent from the America East Conference.
