Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Houston Baptist scored the game's first run, but a five-run bottom of the first gave Sam Houston State a 5-1 lead and never looked back, as the Bearkats defeated HBU, 8-2, Sunday afternoon to sweep the conference series.

Victoria Granchelli went 2-for-3 with an RBI for HBU (13-16, 6-9 SLC). Melissa Herman and Lauren Schwirtlich each went 1-for-3, as Herman recorded the other RBI.

Lori Earl (2-3) suffered the loss in the circle, allowing four runs (zero earned) and two walks in just 0.2 of an inning. Kendall Stiefel allowed four hits, four runs (three earned), and one walk in 3.2 innings. Sarah Shotton pitched the final 2.0 innings and gave up one hit while striking out two.

Alyssa Coggins led SHSU (23-18, 9-6 SLC) by going 2-for-3 at the plate. Shelbi Tucker had a game-high four RBI.

Haley Baros (7-7) went the distance in the circle, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out four.

HBU got on the board first, as L. Schwirtlich started things off with an infield single. She advanced to second on a sac bunt by Rebecca Rademacher, then to third on a ground out. Herman singled to right, scoring L. Schwirtlich.

The Bearkats answered with a five-run bottom half of the inning. An error, a walk, and a fielder's choice loaded the bases with nobody out. Hillary Adams' sac fly scored Benavidez from third, then Tucker cleared the bases with a grand slam to center.

The score remained 5-1 until SHSU scored three times in the bottom of the fourth to lead 8-1. With the bases loaded, the Bearkats scored on a hit by pitch, a wild pitch, and an RBI single by Adams.

V. Granchelli made the score 8-2 with a leadoff homer to left field in the top of the seventh. But the Huskies went down in order after that with two groundouts and a strike out to end the game.

HBU will return home to face Jackson State in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 10 beginning at 2 pm.