MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — This time, it was the Bearkats' turn to sneak up on the Blue Raiders. 

Sam Houston rallied for an eight-run sixth inning to edge Middle Tennessee 9-8 on Sunday at Blue Raider Softball Field. It was a nice bounce-back win for the Kats after suffering a 5-3 come-from-behind loss to Middle Tennessee in game two of the three-game series. 

The Bearkats (13-15, 3-3 CUSA) surged ahead in the sixth, scoring what proved to be the game-winning run. 

Sam Houston's offense ignited with eight runs on eight hits in the sixth. Allie Saville started the rally with an RBI single to center field, followed by Lydia Njus, who delivered a two-run single for her first hit of the season. 

Kyla Heine plated Samantha Graeter on a sacrifice fly before Elia Hebel ripped a two-run double down the right-field line. Jenny Robison capped the inning with a two-run home run to give the Bearkats a 9-8 lead.  

Robison also drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single to score Heine in the opening frame.  

Amy Abke (5-7) earned the win, pitching 5 2/3 innings. She sealed the victory by recording a strikeout with two runners on in the bottom of the seventh. 

Sam Houston returns to action Wednesday at SFA in Nacogdoches. First pitch is set for 5 p.m., with live stats available on StatBroadcast.