MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Sam Houston Bearkats dropped the first game of a 3-game series, 4-1, at Middle Tennessee on Friday night at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
The Kats (12-37, 6-16 CUSA) held an early 1-0 lead after plating a run in the first inning, taking advantage of a 1-out double by Blake Brown. But the Blue Raiders (21-28, 6-16 CUSA) got that run back in the bottom of the second and then went ahead on a 2-run homer by Brett Vondohlen in the third.
Kendrick responded by putting up zeros in the fourth fifth and sixth innings, but the Bearkat offense was unable to get any more across against Alderman as they stranded runners in scoring position in the second, third and seventh frames.
The 3-1 advantage stayed there until the seventh when MTSU tacked on another on a solo homer by Tyler Minnick.
Kendrick took the loss, despite a quality start of 6.0 innings with five strikeouts and three runs scored, falling to 0-8 on the year. Chandler Alderman earned his fourth win of the year for MTSU, punching out six and scattering four hits in 7.0 innings on the mound.
Brown and Jace Martinez led the way at the plate with two hits apiece, including a double each. Hunter Autrey picked up the Kats' lone RBI.
UP NEXT
Sam Houston look to even the series with the Blue Raiders on Saturday at Reese Smith Jr. Field. First pitch for Game 2 in Murfreesboro, Tenn., is set for 3:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
