April 22, 2006

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE - Cassidy Dresch and David Wood posted three RBIs each while Justin Fiske closed out the final two innings to get his fifth save of the season as Texas State held off Sam Houston State 7-5 Saturday in Huntsville.

Texas State (22-21, 14-6 SLC) held its ground in third place in the league to stay three games back of first-place Lamar, while Sam Houston State (21-20, 10-10) stranded 14 runners in its fourth-straight SLC loss.

The Bobcats, who survived six defensive miscues in the win, jumped on top for the second straight day, putting up two in the first on a Merrell double and an RBI single by Wood, as Luke Cannon and Merrell scored in the inning.

Sam Houston would answer in the bottom of the first frame on an RBI ground out by Karl Krailo, but Texas State added to the lead with two more runs in the second on an RBI single through the middle by Dresch that made the score 4-1.

The Bearkats plated one in the third on a Matt Fry RBI single to cut the lead to two, but Texas State would again distance itself with two runs in the top of the fourth to make the score 6-2.

Cannon was hit by a pitch with two down in the inning, followed by a bunt single by Merrell that left two on for Wood. Both runners moved up on stolen bases prior to Wood's smoked single into left for two RBIs.

SHSU would plate a run in the bottom of the fourth that was answered by a fifth-inning run by Texas State.

The Bobcats headed to the bottom of the fifth with a 7-3 lead, which was where the Bearkats made things interesting with a run in the fifth and one more in the sixth to cut the lead to 7-5.

Bearkat reliever Luke Prihoda came on to retire the game's final ten Bobcat batters, while Fiske answered the pitchers' dual to close the final two innings en route to the Bobcat win.

Jarod Garza tossed three innings in relief of starter Dan Donaldson, striking out two while walking one and surrendering only three hits in the outing. Donaldson exited without a decision after facing two batters in the fifth, giving up four runs with a strike out.

Bearkat starter Jacob Howard took the SHSU loss, falling to 1-1 on the season with the loss.

Dresch finished the day 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while Merrell went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Cannon also scored twice in the game.

Wood finished the day without crossing the plate, but did drive in three in a 2-for-4 outing. Sam Houston had three hitters post two-hit outings, while Krailo scored twice in the loss.

Texas State will attempt to sweep the Bearkats for the third-straight season Sunday, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. in Huntsville.