Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sam Houston State scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat Wichita State 8-5 in the 2015 season opener.

Jordan Farris went 3-for-4 with a home run and a RBI, while Daniel Kihle and Ryan Tinkham each went 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Starter Sam Tewes earned a no decision. He went five innings and gave up two earned runs off seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Shockers got on the board in the top of the second inning. Ryan Tinkham led off with a single to left field and stole second. With two outs, Bob Arens hit a sharp liner off the pitchers glove and reached on a wild throw by the shortstop. Tinkham came around to score to give the Shocks a 1-0 lead.

WSU used a two-out rally to add to the lead in the third inning. With two outs, Daniel Kihle singled to shortstop, moved to second on a passed ball and to third on a wild pitch. After a walk to Sam Hilliard, Tinkham singled to right field to score Kihle for a 2-0 lead.

The Bearkats cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Colt Atwood and Bryce Johnson led off the inning with singles and each advanced a base on a throwing error by Tewes on a failed pickoff attempt at second base. Atwood scored on a ground out to first by Hayden Simerly to cut the lead to 2-1.

SHSU scored two runs on four hits and two walks in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 3-2 lead.

The Shockers tied it at three with a run in the sixth. Chase Rader was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mikel Mucha. He stole third and scored on an infield single from Tanner Kirk to tie the score at three.

Jordan Farris and Kihle hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the seventh to put the Shockers in front 5-3, but the Bearkats answered with a run in the seventh to cut the lead to 5-4.

SHSU took the lead in the bottom of the eighth with four runs. They used three hits, an error and two wild pitches to go in front 8-5.

The Shockers and Bearkats play game two of the series on Sat., Feb. 14 at 3 p.m.

-Wichita State-