HOUSTON –
Kirsten Schwirtlich went 2-for-4 on the day and hit her team-leading seventh home run of the season, but HBU lost a doubleheader to Sam Houston State, 2-1 and 7-0, Saturday afternoon at Husky Field.
Lauren Schwirtlich,
Melissa Herman, and
Alyssa Burnett each went 1-for-3 in game one, while K. Schwirtlich went 1-for-2.
Emily Mueller (6-7) took the complete-game loss in the circle, as she gave up six hits, two runs, and two walks with three strikeouts.
Jessica Slater went 2-for-3 for SHSU, while Alyssa Coggins had the lone RBI. Shelby Lancaster (7-5) earned the win in the circle, as she allowed four hits, one run, and two walks with one strikeout.
HBU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as K. Schwirtlich hit a two-out homer to right field.
The Bearkats tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third. Slater led off the inning with a single, stole second, then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. She scored home on a Huskies' error, unearned.
In the top of the sixth, the Bearkats had runners at first and second with two out. The runners advanced one base on a passed ball, which proved to be critical, as Coggins' single up the middle scored the lead runner, Jennie Kieval. The runner at second, Tiffany Castillo, tried to also score, but was out.
SHSU scored five runs in the top of the first in game two, highlighted by a three-run home run by Sarah Allison. The Bearkats added two more in the top of the sixth, as T. Castillo hit an RBI double, followed by an RBI single by Coggins.
Daniella Rodarte and
Holly Webb each had two hits for the Huskies, while
Shay Orsak, K. Schwirtlich, and Burnett each had one. L. Schwirtlich went 0-for-4 in game two, which ended her 15-game hitting streak. She did reach on a fielder's choice, so she is on a current 16-game on-base streak.
Kendall Stiefel (4-9) started in the circle and allowed three hits, four runs, and one walk while facing just four batters.
Shannon O'Connor pitched 7.0 innings and gave up 11 hits and three runs while striking out two.
C. Castillo and Allison each went 3-for-4 for the Bearkats, as Allison had three RBI. Gray went 2-for-4. Haley Baros (9-8) earned the victory in the circle, as she allowed seven hits and one walk with one strikeout.
HBU (13-22 overall, 7-10 SLC) and SHSU (22-17 overall, 11-5 SLC) conclude the series Sunday at 2 pm.