SUGAR LAND, Texas – The Huskies run-rule the Lumberjacks in a commanding 19-9 win to close out the 2024 Sugar Land Classic. HCU's 19 runs was the most runs the Huskies have recorded in a game since March 12, 2019, when HCU posted 21 runs against Prairie View A&M. The Huskies tallied 19 runs on 17 hits while SFA scored nine runs on 10 hits with six errors.

The Huskies (4-4) got off to a fast start when Samuel Benjamin commenced the game with a lead off single up the middle. HCU got on the board with a Damian Ruiz two-run home run to left field scoring Benjamin. The Lumberjacks (3-6) answered in the top of the second inning posting seven runs to take a 7-2 lead. Heading into the bottom of the third inning with the Huskies still trailing 7-2, HCU tied the game starting with a Ruiz single to left field before Dylan LaRue doubled to left field advancing Ruiz to third base. A single up the middle by William Jewell drove in Ruiz and an error by SFA's second baseman allowed Dylan LaRue to score. After a throwing error by the Lumberjacks shortstop scored Tyler LaRue, Benjamin drove in Jewell and Luke Bard singling through the right side to tie the game at 7-7 through three innings. An SFA run in the top of the fourth gave the Lumberjacks the lead, but a William Jewell double to center field scoring Dylan LaRue tied the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Huskies regained the lead, 10-8, in the bottom of the fifth inning starting with a Benjamin double to left center scoring Trevor Roper before Benjamin scored on a wild pitch. HCU added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning recording five runs. The Huskies got started with a Bard solo-shot to left field before Josh Prinner scored on a failed pickoff attempt by the Lumberjacks. A Jewell single down the right-field line scored Roper and Benjamin and Tyler LaRue scored on an error by SFA's catcher to close out the inning. The Huskies improved their lead to 10 runs forcing a run-rule in the bottom of the seventh inning starting with a Benjamin single to right field scoring Prinner before Roper scored on an RBI walk by Dylan LaRue. The Huskies closed out the Sugar Land Classic when Benjamin scored on a fielder's choice before Ruiz scored on a Ty Hodge walk-off single to center field to bring the run-rule into effect.

The Huskies were led by Samuel Benjamin going 4-for-5 with a double, four RBIs and four RBIs. Dylan LaRue went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs, an RBI and a walk while William Jewell went 3-for-3 with a double, four RBIs, two runs and a walk. Damian Ruiz has hit home runs in back-to-back games going 2-for-5 on the night with three runs and two RBIs. Luke Bard recorded his first home run of the season going 1-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs. Jett Feltman (1-0) earned the win pitching five innings of relief allowing three earned runs on six hits with a strikeout. Keevyn Goss started the game for the Huskies giving up five runs, four earned runs, on one hit with four walks and a strikeout. Mark Lopez pitched one inning of relief to finish the game allowing one earned run on three hits.

The Lumberjacks were led by Brock Knoerr going 3-for-4 with a double and a run while Cal Martin went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Kade Parker (0-2) was tagged with the loss pitching 1.1 innings of relief allowing two earned runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Elian Balmaceda started the game for SFA pitching three innings giving up seven runs, four earned runs, on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts. The Lumberjacks used seven pitchers in the loss.

HCU will return to action in Huntsville, Texas on Tuesday, taking on Sam Houston State in a midweek matchup at Don Sander Stadium at 6:30 p.m. The Bearkats (5-2) are coming off a weekend sweep at home against Dartmouth. SHSU won their season opening series against Oklahoma State before losing to HCU's cross town rival, Rice, 7-2. The Bearkats are led by Jace Martinez hitting a .400 average with eight hits, four runs, four walks and three RBIs. Walker Janek is averaging .381 with eight hits and a trio of doubles, runs, RBIs and walks. The Huskies won the Southland Conference season series against SHSU at Don Sanders Stadium in 2020 (formerly an SLC member) and are 10-23 since 2008 against the Bearkats.

Live stats for the midweek matchup will be available at HCUHuskies.com!