For the first time in nearly a year, Sam Houston softball returned to the Bearkat Softball Complex to take on the University of Houston Cougars for their season-opening doubleheader.
The first game of the doubleheader with the Cougars kicked off at 3:30 p.m. It was a low-scoring game, with the Bearkats coming out on top 2-1. Freshman catcher/infielder Hannah Scheaffer got things started for the Bearkats in the first inning with a one-run single. The Cougars responded scoring a run for themselves in the third inning.
Freshman infielder Emily Telg broke the tie with a home run in the fifth inning. The Cougars had a total of four hits in the game with no errors, with freshman pitcher Mika Vento going the full seven innings. Sam Houston finished the game with five hits and one error, starting the season strong.
The second game started at 5:45 p.m. and did not bode well for the Bearkats as they dropped the game 16-3 to the Cougars. The game started slow, with Houston scoring two runs in the first inning. The Cougars offense erupted in the fifth inning, putting five runs on the board. The Bearkats attempted a comeback putting three runs on the board with one strike left in the bottom of the sixth inning off the bat of freshman first baseman Ellie Grill. The Cougars responded with eight runs in the seventh, putting any hopes of a Bearkat come back to rest. Houston finished the game with 12 hits and one error. Meanwhile, Sam Houston finished the game with eight hits and no errors. Sam Houston starts their season 1-1, and University of Houston continues their season 4-4.
Bearkat softball will head to the Lone Star State Invitational, which will take place Feb. 26-27. The Bearkats will face the University of Texas Longhorns in their first game at 1 p.m. in Austin. Following the game with the Longhorns, the Bearkats will take on Lamar University at 6 p.m. to finish the day Friday, Feb. 26. Saturday, the Bearkats will head to San Marcos to play Ole Miss at 11 a.m. and finish the event with a game against Texas State at 3:30 p.m.
