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Despite a team series batting average of .375 against Dallas Baptist University, Sam Houston State struggled to maintain a presence on the mound in games one and two and dropped their second consecutive weekend series.
Coming off a high of clenching their first two series against Louisiana-Monroe and Arkansas State at home, SHSU quickly dropped to University of Connecticut and recently Dallas Baptist from troubles out of the bullpen.
In the series opening 18-4 loss against DBU pitcher Logan Boyd tossed four innings allowing 10 runs, six of them earned. SHSU struck first scoring two runs going into the bottom of the second when DBU found their rhythm to tie in the second, before pouring 15 runs between the fourth and fifth innings dispersed between three errors.
Head Coach David Pierce said loading the bases with runners and errors cost his squad the series opener.
We had some defensive blunders in the first game. It was a combination of base on balls more than anything, Pierce said. Our nemesis will continue to be base on balls.
The Bearkats lineup was able to hit 13 base hits in both game one and two against the Patriots, but the Kats inability to move runners into scoring position made their lineup inefficient.
Outfielder Hayden Simerly swung for .375 accompanied by catcher Anthony Azar connecting for a .600 average in games one and two (8-7 loss) as SHSUs production throughout the series. Third basemen Kevin Miller and Jessie Plumlee produced alongside Simerly and Azar in the middle of the lineup but received little insurance from the top and bottom three.
Leaving 10 runners on base in games one and two cost the Bearkats potential chances to narrow DBUs leads Pierce said, but defensive errors plagued SHSU defense.
We did leave some guys on base that cost us. Defensively we didnt play well on game one, in game two we had the lead and just couldnt hold the lead, Pierce said.
SHSU closed the series with a 12-8 win from the plate.
Connecting for 19 hits and a five run rally in the top of the fourth, pitcher Andrew Godail silenced the Patriots through the sixth before surrendering four runs in the bottom of the seventh off three walks and a middle infield error. SHSU regained composure in the top of the ninth for three runs to edge out a game three win to cap off the series.
The Bearkats hit the road to Waco to square off against Baylor University Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and will return to Huntsville Wednesday for game two with the Bears at 6:30 p.m.