ABILENE – The Sam Houston Bearkats erupted for their most runs in a single game since 2016 and blasted Abilene Christian, 21-0, in seven innings to clinch the weekend series on Saturday at Crutcher Scott Field.
The Kats (18-13, 9-5 WAC) got huge offensive days throughout the lineup, including six RBI from freshman
Hunter Autrey and four apiece from both
Carlos Contreras and
Lane Brewster. Contreras finished 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and was joined by
Justin Wishkoski as one of two Kats to score four runs in the game.
While the offensive was doing its thing,
Matt Dillard was handling his business on the mound, firing 6.0 brilliant innings against a strong ACU (15-16, 7-7 WAC) lineup. The lefty did not allow a run on just four hits, walking one and finishing with eight strikeouts.
It was the most runs in a game since scoring 23 times against UIW in 2016, and they did it on 20 hits and without a homer after bashing four long balls in Friday's series-opening win.
RBI from both Contreras and
Brandon Pruitt got runs across in each of the first two innings before an RBI single by Autrey and a bases-loaded walk plated three more in the third.
The Kats then blew it open in the fourth, sending 11 hitters to the plate to score seven times. They added three more in the fifth and then scored six more times in the sixth, getting a 3-run triple by Autrey and a run-scoring triple from Brewster before
Easton Loyd capped the inning with a single of his own.
Sam Houston and ACU will close out the series on Sunday at Crutcher Scott Field. First pitch is set for 1:05 pm and will be aired on the WAC Digital Network.
