How Sweep It Is

Sam Houston State (SHSU) Bearkat baseball team completed the series sweep by defeated the Northwestern State Demons by the score of 5-3 to complete the series sweep and extend their winning streak to 12 games.

It was also their third straight weekend series sweep against Southland Conference (SLC) teams, making it the first time that they have done that since SHSU moved up to the NCAA Division I level in 1986.

“They really are a good team,” head coach David Pierce said. “Throughout the weekend, it was dogfight and our guys were fortunate to come out on top.”

The Demons (12-17 overall, 9-6 SLC) waste no time in the top of the first inning when left fielder Colin Bear hit a double to right center field that drove in Jordan Buckley to put them up 1-0.

Buckley singled with one out in the inning and advanced to second on a walk to catcher Nick Purdy.

The Bearkats (23-9 overall, 13-2 SLC) answered quickly with three runs in the bottom of the third inning to lead it by the score of 3-1 on a pair of RBI singles by left fielder Luke Plucheck, designated hitter Anthony Azar and right fielder Jake Arrington.

A two run, single by second baseman Jesse Plumlee increased the lead to 5-1.

Things got interesting in the top of the seventh inning when the Bearkats had appeared to have gotten out of the top of the seventh inning without giving up a run when starting pitcher Justin Jackson had touch first base before Drew Helenihi did to get the third out, but first base umpire Wes Bilon called him safe that allowed Matt Burns to score the Demons’ second run and prolonged the inning. The Demons took advantage and added an additional run on an RBI triple by Buckley to cut the lead to 5-3.

Burns hit a double down the left field line with one out in the top of the seventh inning. He advanced to third on a ground out by pinch hitter Nick Doughty that made it two outs.

The Demons had something going in the top of the eighth inning when first baseman Will Watson hit a single to left field with one out with the tying run coming to the plate.

He was thrown out at second by Hale on an attempted steal that made it two outs. Reliever Michael Oros got third baseman Nick Hinojos to fly out to end the inning and dashing the hopes of the Demons.

Jackson pitched seven innings and got his sixth win of the season. He struck out eight batters and gave up three runs on six hits.

Oros pitched the final two innings in relief to get his second save.

“He (Oros) pitched great,” Jackson said. “He threw for strikes and got some strike outs…..that is what he does and he’s a good pitcher.”

The Bearkats will try to extend their win streak next weekend when they face the Lamar Cardinals in Beaumont, Texas, beginning on Friday.