Bearkats Takes Second Game of Double-Header To Even Series

Ryan O’Hearn’s game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth gave the Sam Houston State Bearkats a 3-2 win over the Southeastern Louisiana Lions.

The win helped the Bearkats take the second game of the double-header and even the series.

They also have a chance to win the Southland Conference regular season title if they take the rubber match of the series tomorrow.

“Pretty much all day, I was getting jammed,” O’Hearn said. ” I backed off the plate a little bit…luckily things worked out.”

The Lions was looking to cash in their first run of the game in the top of the second inning when Jonathan Pace led off with a single to left field and advanced to second on a one-out single by Ladd Rhodes.

The next batter, Sam Roberson hit a rocket to right field that looked like it was going over the head of Greg Olson, but Olson tracked it down and made an outstanding catch to save a potential run from scoring.

Brett Hoffman followed with a walk to load the bases, but starting pitcher Justin Jackson got Alex Marse to hit into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.

The Bearkats capitalized in the bottom of the third inning on a single by Kevin Miller that scored Jesse Plumlee from second to lead it 1-0.

Plumlee led off the bottom of the third inning with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a two-out walk to Luke Plucheck.

They were looking to add more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when Greg Olson lined a two-out single over the head of second baseman Brock Herbert.

Plumlee followed with a lined single past a diving short stop Ben Hernandez to put Olson in scoring position at second base.

However, Corey Toups struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Lions had their opportunity in the top of the fifth inning when Brett Hoffman led off with a singled up the middle.

He advanced to second on a sacrifice by Alex Marse.

On the next play, Toups robbed Harry Slade of a single to get the second out and kept the tying run from scoring.

Hernandez flied out to end the threat.

The Lions had another chance to tie it up in the top of the seventh inning when Marse hit a hot shot single that went off the glove of first base man Ryan O’Hearn with two outs and advanced in scoring position at second on a single by Slade.

However, Jackson got Hernandez to ground out to avoid any damage.

“Justin acted like a senior today and really picked up his team and gave us the start we needed,” coach Pierce said.

The Lions finally broke through and tied the game at 1 on a sacrifice fly by Cody Gougler.

Herbert led off the top of the eight inning with an infield single and stole second.

The Bearkats answered quickly in the bottom of the eight when O’Hearn drove the first pitch that he saw over the right field fence to regain the lead at 2-1.

They were looking to add more in the inning when Ryan Farney hit a double to left field and advanced to third on a sacrifice by Plumlee.

But, Toups grounded out to end the inning.

That became significant as the Lions came back roaring and tied the game at 2 in the top of the ninth inning on a RBI double by Slade.

O’Hearn delivered again in the bottom of the ninth inning when he hit one over the head of left fielder Ladd Rhodes that allowed Plucheck to score the game-winning run from second base that gave the Bearkats a 3-2 win.

“In the last two at-bats, he picked us up with a home run and then with the walk-off single,” coach Pierce said. “It kind of save the day today and I thought he was great.”

Reliever Michael Burchett pitched two innings and got the win while reliever Jason Greenleaf suffered the loss for the Lions.

The rubber match will conclude tomorrow at 1 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Cheval John

Cheval John is the Founder and CEO of Vallano Media, LLC, a marketing agency which helps small to mid-sized businesses use social media correctly to build a loyal following and in the process become more profitable. Cheval is also the host of "What's The Word?" a podcast about finding out what inspires people to choose their respective careers and how social media impacted their lives and business. He is the author of two books including the Amazon Best-Seller, "8 Lessons Every Podcaster Needs To Learn." He has spoken at Social Media Week Lima in Ohio and at Social Media Day Houston 2017 about topics around live streaming and podcasting. Cheval has been featured in media outlets including Ebony Magazine, Social Media Today and Forbes. He was named a Houston Top 25 Social Media Power Influencer (2016 and 2017) and a Twitter Top 50 Influencer by Onalytica in 2018.

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