The Sam Houston State softball team split a double header in the home opener against Prairie View A&M on Wednesday, earning their first victory of the season.
The Bearkats are now 1-9 on the young season.
SHSU started off the first game of the double header with an offensive explosion that had not been seen all season on their way to an 11-0 win against the Panthers.
The star of the game was first baseman Kim Damian, going three-for-three from the plate, with a double, triple and grand slam driving in six runs.
“The first win was very important,” Damian said. “It shows that we can do this.”
Hillary Adams went 2 for 2 including a two run home run that went deep. Tomi Garrison got the win for the Kats, striking out four batters and allowing only two hits.
The second half of the doubleheader was not so fruitful for SHSU as they lost 7-3.
The Kats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning and Prairie View answered with a run in the fifth. However, all of this became inconsequential when SHSU had a meltdown in the sixth inning that resulted in six runs for the Panthers.
The Kats had four errors and walked six batters in the game. Prairie View scored on seven of eight hits while the Bearkats only capitalized on three of 10.
“It was a fun win and the pitching was good,” head coach Bob Brock said. “But, we lacked focus in our second game.”
The Kats will next play host to Texas A&M on Wednesday at the Bearkat Softball Complex. Start time for that game is scheduled for 4 p.m.