HOUSTON – Sam Houston led for the bulk of the night, but Houston scored two runs with two outs in the eighth inning to steal away a 4-3 win on Tuesday night at Schroeder Park. 

The Kats (2-6) scored runs in each of the first two innings and led 3-0 after five on Hunter Autrey's third home run of the year; however, solo homers by Houston's Malachi Lott and Connor McGinnis trimmed the lead to 3-2 and Carsten Sabathia delivered a 2-run double with two outs in the eighth to put the Cougars ahead for good.  

Sam Houston put together a threat with two on in the ninth before UH's Richie Roman closed out his fifth save of the year to give Houston an early 1-0 advantage in the annual playing of the Don Sanders Cup series.  

Autrey had two RBI and was one of four Bearkats with multiple hits in the game, including Blake Brown who drove in the Kats' other run with a 2-out single in the top of the ninth. Noah Kendrick got his second straight midweek start and delivered quality work, holding the Cougars to just one run in 4.1 innings before handing it off to Danny Valadez.  

Valadez went the rest of the way and struck out a pair, but was touched up for three runs – one earned – to take his first loss in the orange and black. Lott was the winner for Houston, tossing 2.0 scoreless for the Cougars as the third of five arms to see the hill.  

UP NEXT 
The road does not get any easier for Sam Houston as they will next head north to Frisco to take part in the Frisco Classic, first battling Nebraska on Friday. The Kats will then take on Kansas State on Saturday, followed by a game vs No. 2 LSU on Sunday. 

Fans can watch each game by purchasing streaming options through D1Baseball.com, or can listen live on GoBearkats.com, the Bearkat Sports app or on KSHU 90.5 FM.