HUNTSVILLE – Parker Blackman hit a walk-off, 2-run single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the Sam Houston Bearkats a 2-1 win over Liberty on Sunday afternoon, completing a weekend sweep of the Flames at Don Sanders Stadium.
The win surges the Bearkats (12-36, 6-15 CUSA) squarely back into the race for a berth in the Conference USA Tournament, one game behind the Flames with six games to play in the 2025 regular season.
Sam Houston had traffic on the bases throughout the day, stranding 13 runners before Blackman's hit, his second single of the game.
Cam Diaz continued to throw well in his Sunday starting role, equaling his season high with eight strikeouts in 6.0 innings, allowing just one run on a double-play grounder in the fourth. He then handed the ball off to Felix Schlede who struck out three and allowed just two base runners in 3.0 innings to earn his first win of the year.
The Kats out-hit the Flames (26-22, 7-14 CUSA) by a 10-5 margin in the game, led by Hunter Autrey's 4-for-5 day. His infield single with one out in the ninth got the final rally started. It was followed by walks to Jace Martinez and Ryan Franden before reliever Tyler August retired Sam Lee on strikes after a 10-pitch at-bat. That set the stage for Blackman, who flared a 2-1 pitch inside the left-field line to end things in dramatic fashion.
Liberty reliever Jacob Webb took the loss after being charged with both runs in the final inning.
UP NEXT
Sam Houston will observe finals week on campus with no midweek game on the slate, but will next travel to Middle Tennessee for a crucial 3-game series for both teams' postseason hopes. The series in Murfreesboro, Tenn., is set to kick off on Friday on ESPN+.
