HUNTSVILLE, Texas – A five-run fifth inning did Texas Southern in as they fell 10-6 in a competitive opener at Sam Houston State on Friday night.
SHSU led the bottom of the first off with a single, walk and fielder's choice before scoring on a two-RBI double to lead 2-0. TSU would get a run back in the second as Jeremy Almaguer drew a leadoff walk followed by Gabe Vasquez's RBI double. With two outs in the second, SHSU would strike back on an RBI single as TSU trailed 3-1.
SHSU would once again score with two outs in the fourth as two runners crossed home to increase the lead to 5-1. TSU would fight back in the fifth as Jordan Vidato reached base on a dropped fly which allowed him to reach second. SHSU would strike out the next two batters but Vidato stole third and Johnathan Thomas came up big with a two-run homer as TSU trailed 5-3.
TSU went to the bullpen to open the bottom of the fifth and ran into trouble with a leadoff single, walk and bunt single which loaded the bases. A wild pitch would score the first run of the inning followed by a groundout RBI and three-run home run.
Jeremy Gaines led the sixth off with a solo homer followed by a SHSU error which allowed Almaguer to reach base. Vasquez cut the deficit in half with an RBI triple as TSU trailed 10-5. Thomas would homer again in the ninth for TSU's final run of the night.
Thomas finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs. Vasquez finished 2-for-3 with an RBI to round out TSU's multi-hit performers. Jordan Martinez (1-2) received the start before giving way to Adolf Castillo, George Osborne and Kobe Head. Osborne led TSU with three strikeouts in an inning of action.
TSU is back in action on Saturday against SHSU at 3 p.m. in Huntsville.
