HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Prairie View A&M was unable to capitalize on several offensive opportunities Friday, falling in both games of a doubleheader to Sam Houston at Don Sanders Stadium. The Panthers dropped the opener 4-1 before the Bearkats secured the nightcap 13-3.
In Game 1, Prairie View A&M collected eight hits but could not convert enough of them into runs in a 4-1 loss.
Senior Beau Beaty (1-2) made the start on the mound for the Panthers (4-9) and was charged with the loss. Senior Isaac Herrera provided a strong relief outing, tossing three innings while allowing just one run on two hits with no walks and five strikeouts.
Offensively, freshman Basilio Williams led Prairie View A&M with a 2-for-5 performance at the plate. Freshman Ryland Duson also finished with two hits, going 2-for-4, while junior Hunter Ham added an RBI.
Sam Houston built a 3-0 lead before Prairie View A&M broke through in the eighth inning. Duson reached base and later scored on an RBI single from Ham to trim the deficit to 3-1. The Bearkats responded with an insurance run and held the Panthers the rest of the way to secure the victory.
Sophomore Sonnier Moses added pressure on the bases with two stolen bases as Prairie View A&M pitchers combined for eight strikeouts while facing 32 Bearkat hitters.
In Game 2, Sam Houston jumped out early and never looked back in a 13-3 decision.
Junior Kenneth Haynes (0-1) started for Prairie View A&M and took the loss.
Williams continued to swing the bat well for the Panthers, going 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI. Senior Michael Burroughs added a solid outing at the plate, finishing 2-for-4, while sophomore Corie Lockett recorded a double.
Trailing 6-0 in the third inning, Prairie View A&M got on the board when Williams launched a two-out solo home run to cut the deficit to 6-1. Sam Houston later pushed its lead to 8-1 before the Panthers responded in the fourth inning.
Prairie View A&M scored twice in the frame, highlighted by an RBI single from junior Jordan Williams, to make it 8-3. However, the Bearkats added five more runs late to close out the 13-3 victory.
Despite the setback, Prairie View A&M pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts while facing 43 Sam Houston hitters.
The Panthers will look to bounce back as the series continues against the Bearkats on Saturday, March 7 for the final day. The first pitch is set to begin at 11:00 am.
