HUNTSVILLE — Western Kentucky scored four runs in the top of the 12th inning to hand Sam Houston a 9-5 loss in the Conference USA opener for both squads on Friday evening at Bearkat Softball Complex.
In a game that lasted four hours, the Hilltoppers (14-6) and Bearkats (9-13) could not get anything going offensively after Western Kentucky tied it at 4 in the seventh and both teams added runs in the eighth. Sam Houston's came on an RBI triple by Kayla Heine with two outs in the bottom of the frame.
The ninth, 10th and 11th innings came and went before the Toppers got something cooking in the 12th with a sacrifice bunt to break the 5 all tie then a three-run double off reliever
Amy Abke for some insurance runs. The Kats got a one-out double by
Kendall Daniel and a two-out walk from Heine in the bottom of the 12th, but Sam Houston could not extend the game.
Jenny Robison had a huge day at the plate for the Bearkats. She blasted a pair of two-run home runs in the third, which tied the game, and one in the fifth to put Sam Houston on top 4-2.
The two teams will play the second of the three-game series Saturday at 3 p.m. Sunday's finale has been moved to 11:30 a.m.
