HUNTSVILLE — Chris Andreas and Mark Hudson each recorded three hits and they helped Sam Houston State down UTSA, 10-5, in Friday's Southland Conference series opener at Don Sanders Stadium.
The Bearkats (15-8, 2-5 SLC) used a three-run fourth inning to pull away from the Roadrunners (7-16, 1-6 SLC).
Freshman Riley Good paced the Roadrunners with three hits, including a double, and a stolen base.
UTSA touched up Sam Houston State starting pitcher Matt Shelton for three runs in the opening inning. Seniors Tyler Carpenter and Ryan Hutson stroked run-scoring singles and junior Matthew James drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Bearkats bounced back with a pair of marks in the bottom of the frame when Hudson brought home a pair with a double.
Another two-run double, this time by Andreas, and an RBI single by Ryan Mooney gave the Bearkats a 5-3 lead after two frames.
However, UTSA tied the contest at five an inning later when sophomore Jake Wood scored on an error and sophomore Ryan Dalton produced a run-scoring single.
Luke Plucheck’s double down the left-field line put Sam Houston State back in front. Andreas then singled and later scored on an error before Kevin Miller and Doug Oney each registered RBI singles to put the Bearkats up 9-5 after four innings.
A sacrifice fly off the bat of Braeden Riley pushed across the final run of the night in the eighth.
Paul Spinn (2-1) picked up the victory in relief after limiting the Roadrunners to just one hit in 3.1 innings of work. Michael Oros picked up his first save of the spring after allowing two hits and striking out four in three scoreless panels.
Junior Casey Selsor (0-3) was saddled with the loss after being touched up for eight runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks and in 3.1 innings.
The series continues at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
