Lions takes first game of double-header
The Southeastern Lousiana Lions defeated the Sam Houston State Bearkats in the first game of the double-header by the score of 4-2.
The win pulls them within two games of the Bearkats (32-16, 20-8 SLC), who are in first place of the Southland Conference.
The Bearkats waste no time getting on the board with two runs in the bottom of the first inning that made it 2-0.
First baseman Ryan O’Hearn hit an RBI single to right field that scored center fielder Colt Atwood from third that made it 1-0.
Two batters later, right fielder Greg Olson hit a sacrifice fly that scored third baseman Kevin Miller from third to increase the lead to 2-0.
The Bearkats was looking to add more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning when Corey Toups led off with a double that hit off the right field wall. Atwood followed with a walk.
Both runners advanced to second and third, respectively on a sacrifice bunt by Luke Plucheck.
However, Toups was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice play that allowed Miller to reach first and O’Hearn flied out to end the inning.
The Lions (34-16, 18-10 SLC) capitalized and exploded for three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead by the score of 3-2.
They scored their first run on a RBI ground out by Jonathan Pace to cut the lead to 2-1.
Cody Gougler followed with a two-run single up the middle that gave them a 3-2 lead.
Alex Marse and Harry Slade started the rally with back-to-back singles.
Both runners advanced to second and third, respectively on a sacrifice bunt by Ben Hernandez.
Brock Herbert was hit by a pitch to load the bases and set up the offensive rally.
They added another run in the top of the ninth inning on a to increase their lead to 4-2.
The Bearkats had a chance going in the bottom of the ninth inning when Shea Pierce led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single to left field. Plumlee followed with a single to right field to put runners on first and second.
Toups was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
However, they could not capitalized as both Atwood and pinch hitter Anthony Azar struck out and Miller flied out to end the game.
Andro Cutura went 5 2/3 innings and got the win while Caleb Smith suffered the loss.
Stefan Lopez got his 19th save of the year, breaking the Southland Conference all-time record for saves in a year.
The second game of the double header is set to begin in 45 minutes here at Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville, Texas.
