HOUSTON, Texas – The Huskies snapped a five-game losing streak taking down the Lumberjacks, 8-3, at Husky Field in a midweek match-up. HCU has now claimed three straight head-to-head match-ups against SFA scoring a combined total of 42 runs.
After a shaky start allowing three runs in the top of the first inning, the Huskies shutout the Lumberjacks in the remaining eight innings. HCU tallied three hits in the first three innings before converting in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at 3-3. After
Tyler LaRue drew a lead-off walk,
Parker Edwards hit his first home run of the game with a two-run homer to left field scoring LaRue. A solo shot off the bat of
Luke Bard two batters later tied the game through four frames. After a lead-off single by
Trent Baker in the bottom of the fifth inning, Baker stole second before advancing to third on a single by
Samuel Benjamin to put runners on the corners. A delayed steal by Benjamin allowed Baker to steal home to give the Huskies the lead. The Huskies continued to apply pressure posting four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. On the third pitch of the frame, Edwards hit his second home run of the game down the left field line before
William Jewell doubled to center field. After advancing to third base on a deep fly ball by Bard, Jewell scored on a balk. Later that inning, Baker tallied his fourth hit of the game with a single to SFA's shortstop. After stealing second four his third stolen base of the game, Baker scored on single to right field off the bat of
Trevor Roper. After Roper stole second, Benjamin hit a double down the left field line scoring Roper and giving the Huskies an 8-3 victory at Husky Field.
The Huskies (14-25, 6-9 SLC) were led by Edwards going 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Baker tied his most hits in a game this season going 4-for-5 with a double, two runs and three stolen bases while Bard went 1-for-4 with a homer and Benjamin went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base.
Jonathan Valdez (1-3) earned his first win this season pitching five innings to start the game, allowing three earned runs on six hits with a walk and fanning five batters.
Mark Lopez closed out the game pitching four scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit with a pair of walk and strikeouts.
The Lumberjacks (6-35, 2-19 WAC) were led by Tom Biggs going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run. Colton Griffin also went 2-for-4 with a double and a run while Nolan Brown went 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a walk. Elian Balmaceda started the game for SFA pitching two scoreless innings giving up two hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Will Larson (0-2) was tagged with the loss pitching one inning of relief allowing one earned run on two hits with a strikeout. The Lumberjacks used six pitchers in the midweek match-up.
The Huskies hit the road to take on #17 ranked, Louisiana, in a back-to-back midweek schedule on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Lafayette, LA at Russo Park.
Live stream will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats are available at HCUHuskies.com.
