THE RUNDOWN
Friday night, DBU (19-15, 9-4 CUSA) took down Sam Houston State (14-19, 4-9 CUSA) by a score of 6-4 in the series opener. Patriot starter
Liam Watt delivered his first quality start of the season, allowing two runs across six innings of work. Watt, who improved to 5-1 and lowered his ERA to 3.19 on the season, received the majority of his run support from his catcher,
Adam Berghult, who launched two home runs tonight.
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Watt and SHSU's Ryan Peterson (3-4, 2.26) traded zeros through the first three innings of the night.
Cooper Neville would be the first player to reach as far as third base, advancing from first to third on an
Adam Berghult single in the top of the third.
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The Bearkats drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth, as Cade Corcoran scored on a fielder's choice after reaching base with a leadoff walk.
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The Patriots answered immediately with a three-spot in the top of the fifth, as
Dylan Cupp and
Cooper Neville set the table for an
Adam Berghult three-run, lead-taking blast over the left field wall. In the sixth,
Ryan Martin added to the momentum by lofting a solo home run to center field. After the top of the sixth, DBU led 4-1.
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Ty Marthiljohni responded to Martin's solo homer with a big fly of his own in the bottom half, as his first home run of the season made it a 4-2 ballgame.
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As Peterson was lifted in the top of the seventh,
Adam Berghult turned around the second pitch he saw from Cooper Harris and drove it over the left field wall to lead off the inning.
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Jerrod Jenkins relieved Watt in the bottom half, tossing a one-two-three inning to keep the score 5-2. However, in the bottom of the eighth, the Bearkats would shrink their deficit to two as Cade Corcoran scored on a wild pitch.
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Berghult drew a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth and would find himself on third base after a steal and a passed ball.
Chayton Krauss then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Berghult and providing a key insurance run. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, DBU led 6-3.
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Athan Kroll received the keys to the bottom of the ninth in search of his fifth save of the year. Sam Houston State scratched one run across, but Kroll would strand the bases loaded to seal DBU's 19th win of the season.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The Patriots have won four straight over the Bearkats, going back to last year's sweep in Dallas.
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Adam Berghult became the fourth DBU player this season to record a multi-homer game, joining
Jake Bennett,
Chayton Krauss, and
Luke Pettitte.
- Patriot hitters struck out a season-high 13 times tonight.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.359 - Berghult reached base in each of his four plate appearances tonight, raising his season on-base percentage to .359.
0 - Patriot pitchers held SHSU's lead-off man, Caleb Cotton, completely off the books in five plate appearances.
10 - DBU hitters reached the ten-hit plateau for the 19th time this season.
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ON DECK
DBU will continue their weekend set at Sam Houston State (14-19, 4-9 CUSA) tomorrow. Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
