HUNTSVILLE – Amid porous weather conditions, the Sam Houston Bearkats were on the verge of evening its series with NJIT until the Highlanders put up five runs in the top of the ninth inning to steal a 12-9 win on Saturday afternoon at Don Sanders Stadium. 

The win secures a series win for NJIT (2-4) as the teams will now play a 3-game series rather than a 4-gamer as originally planned after Saturday's nightcap was cancelled due to poor weather conditions in the area.  

The Kats (1-5) had trailed 7-3 before scoring six unanswered runs and taking a 9-7 lead into the ninth behind 7.0 innings of strong relief from Danny Valadez and Devin Bennett, allowing just one run between them to give the Sam Houston offense time to come back.  

But the Highlanders got to reliever Cam Diaz in the ninth, tying it at 9-9 on a bases-loaded walk before taking the lead on the fourth Bearkat fielding error of the game. Matthew Doyle then delivered some insurance with a 2-run double for the final margin. 

Diaz took the loss after allowing five runs – two earned – in the inning, while Eddie Werse picked up his first win of the year for NJIT. 

Ryan Franden turned in a 3-for-5 day for Sam Houston at the plate, including a 2-RBI single that tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Addison Smith added three RBI on a pair of hits, while Ty Marthilijohni had two hits and two RBI and Parker Blackman had two hits and a run brought home.  

UP NEXT 
Sam Houston and NJIT will conclude its weekend set on Sunday with a single, 9-inning contest beginning at noon at The Don. The game can be heard on the Bearkat Sports Network.