19-23, 8-11
Middle Tennessee
21-21, 8-11
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
| Sam Houston | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 6 | 8 | 0 |
Kats stay hot, take opener from MTSU
4/24/2026 11:35:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston Bearkats stayed red hot and won their fifth game in a row on Friday night, downing Middle Tennessee 6-3 in the series opener at Don Sanders Stadium.Â
The Kats (19-23, 8-11 CUSA) got another dazzling start from staff ace Ryan Peterson as he struck out nine and scattered six hits over 8.0 shutout innings to move to 5-4 on the year. The junior righty was handed the lead via a solo home run from Ryan Franden in the third and he made that stand up, allowing just one runner past second base in his outing which spanned just 99 pitches. Â
Franden was joined by Hunter Alvord with two hits apiece on a night where runs were at a premium until the late innings. MTSU (21-21, 8-11 CUSA) starter David Horn Jr. was solid in his own right, striking out six in 6.0 innings, but was tagged for three runs to fall to 2-5 on the season. Â
Sam Houston added two more to its total in the fourth on RBI from Kirby Orth and Jace Martinez, while a pair of outfield assists from Sean Bazmore in right field helped keep the Blue Raiders off the board in the early going. Â
The Kats tacked on three more in the bottom of the eighth on a bases-loaded walk from Franden and a MTSU error, runs which proved to be crucial when the Blue Raiders were able to finally get something going in the ninth against closer Zak Johnson. Brett Rogers delivered an RBI single ahead of a 2-run double from Brett Vondohlen which cut the lead in half before the Kats were able to close the door.Â
UP NEXTÂ
The Kats will look to clinch the series on Saturday in the second game of the weekend behind probable starter Tyler Ryden. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. from Don Sanders Stadium and is to be aired on ESPN+.Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Peterson, Ryan (5-4)
L: David Horn Jr. (2-5)
Batting:
2B: Brett Rogers 1 ; Brett Vondohlen 1
RBI: Brett Rogers 1 ; Brett Vondohlen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cooper Clapp 1 ; Brett Rogers 1 ; Dean O'Neill 1
CS: Nathan Brewer 1
Batting:
2B: Franden, Ryan 1
HR: Franden, Ryan 1
RBI: Franden, Ryan 2 ; Orth, Kirby 1 ; Martinez, Jace 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Franden, Ryan 1 ; Baker, Wes 2 ; Alvord, Hunter 1 ; Orth, Kirby 1 ; Martinez, Jace 1
SB: Curtis, Jeric 1 ; Alvord, Hunter 3 ; Orth, Kirby 1 ; Martinez, Jace 1
CS: Corcoran, Cade 1
