Sam Houston Takes The Series

By Cheval John

A five-run sixth inning propelled Sam Houston State to a 5-0 victory over Northern Colorado at Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville, Texas.

The win secured the series for the Bearkats.

Dylan Ebbs, who started the game as a designated hitter, threw 1 2/3 innings in relief of starter Dirk Masters and got his first win of the season.

Though Ebbs went 0-2, he also walked twice and scored a run.

Luke Plucheck, who came into the game with .429 batting average after going 3 for 4 last night, went one for three with 3 RBIs.

Northern Colorado (0-3) loaded the bases four times, but could not capitalize on their opportunities as the Bearkats defense was able to shut them down.

In addition to the strong pitching by Masters and Ebbs, Jason Simms, who is on the Baseball Writers Association of America’s Stopper of the Year watch list, threw one inning in relief.

The Bears had their best chance in the top of the fourth inning when Nick Miller led off with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Vaugh.

Colby Harrelson followed with a walk to make it first and third.

After Masters struck out Ben Netzel for the second out, he walked Bryan Tibbetts to load the bases.

However, Masters settled down and struck out Nick Tanner to get out of the jam.

Then the Bearkats (3-0) exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break the scoreless tie at 5-0.

Jake MacWilliam, who went 2 for 4, lined a one out single to left field that plated Anthony Azar from second for a 1-0 lead while Hayden Simerly, who had a single after Azar, advanced to third.

After Ebbs issued a walked with two outs to load the bases, Plucheck hit a double to left field that scored all three runners to increase the lead to 4-0.

Plucheck advanced to third on the throwing error and scored the fifth run on a error by Vaugh that allowed Dalton Perry to reach first.

Azar started the rally with a singled to right field.

The Bears had a chance to make something happen in the top of the seventh when Jake Ekman hit a one out single and Ryan Yamane followed with a single.

After Corey Fujimoto’s sacrifice bunt advanced both runners to second and third, respectively, Miller was walked to load the bases.

However, reliever Jason Simms got Vaugh to ground out to end the threat.

The series finale will take place tomorrow at 4 p.m.