Sam Houston State softball didnt get the start they were hoping for at the Baylor tournament this past weekend, finishing 2-3.
The Bearkats were unable to connect at the plate when they were down and needed runs as the pitching staff was unable to shut down the big hits.
The Bearkats opened their season with a 8-6 win against Illinois State Thursday. With a total of nine hits,including a homerun from first baseman Hillary Adams,the Kats were able to win.
Later the Bearkats were silenced 4 -0 against Northern Illinois; they were unable to connect against the opposing pitcher. If not for the single down the line by Ashley Isbell in the top of the fifth inning, SHSU would have been pitched a no hitter.
Against Baylor, the Bearkats were forced into extra innings with both teams stagnant until the Bearkats were able to get two key RBIs from left fielder Jessica Slater and right fielder Amy Pelton. This put them up in the top of the eighth where they would hold on for the victory.
We executed when we needed to in extra innings and our focus is to keep executing in pressure situations through out the year, Isbell said.
The Bearkats dropped the last two games despite efforts of two run homers in the opening inning against Illinois State, a two run shot fromIsbell, and a RBI from Shelbi Tucker in the final game against NIU.
Its not the start we were looking for but now know how we need to improve for games in the future.Pelton said
Despite the outcome, the Bearkatswere able to take away some positives from the tournament.
We had four homeruns this weekend and thats a big positive to take from the weekend, Isbell said.
The Bearkatswill now turn their focus to the upcoming home game against Texas A&M and according to Isbell, they are looking forward to a big crowd.
The home-opener against the Aggies will be this Wednesday at 5 p.m.