Bearkats defeats Bobcats 10-4

Sam Houston State Bearkats defeated the Texas State Bobcats by the score of 10-4. The win increased their Southland Conference record to 6-2 (13-9).

The Bearkats wasted no time in the bottom of the second when they scored three runs that made it 3-0 on an error by third baseman Nick Smelser and on back-to-back RBI singles by second baseman Jesse Plumlee and short stop Corey Toups.

“We had great at-bats and were tenacious throughout every at-bat,” head coach David Pierce said. “We kept grinding it and we got runs from it.”

The Bearkats continued the on-slaught as they scored three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to increase the lead to 6-0 on an RBI double by third baseman Kevin Miller, an RBI single by Plumlee and a throwing error by second baseman Tyler Sibley that allowed catcher John Hale to score.

The Bobcats made things interesting in the top of the sixth inning when they scored three runs to cut the lead to 6-3 on an RBI single by designated hitter Ben McElroy and a two-run single by center fielder Jeff McVaney.

It seemed as if the momentum was riding for the Bobcats as left fielder Brooks Orton led off the top of the seventh inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Andrew Stumph. But the Bearkats got the next three outs to get out of the inning.

The Bearkats capitalized and exploded for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to extend the lead to 9-3 on a sacrifice fly by Plumlee and a two-run single by left fielder Luke Plucheck.

The Bobcats added a run in the top of the eighth inning to make it 9-4.

The Bearkats added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning to increase the score to 10-4.

Starting pitcher Justin Jackson went 5 and 2/3 innings and got his fourth win of the season. He gave up three runs on five hits and struck out four batters.

“You want to continue and give yourself some opportunites,” head coach David Pierce said. “We had an opportunity to win the series and we did.”

Starting pitcher Colton Turner only went 2 and 2/3 innings and suffered the loss.

The Bearkats will be going for the sweep tomorrow in the rubber match against the Bobcats at 1 p.m.

“We have to come out and play like we are trying to get swept,” Miller said.

“We have an opportunity to get a sweep,” coach Pierce said. “Nothing is guranteed, but we have the opportunity and they are buying into it.”

“I think they will be ready.”