Weatherford Pitches Complete Game in Sam Houston State?s 9-2 Win
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas ? No. 7 seed Sam Houston State got a complete game from right hander Sean Weatherford to cruise to a 9-2 upset victory over No. 2 seed Southeastern Louisiana in the Southland Conference Tournament Wednesday at Whataburger Field.
Weatherford pitched his third complete game of the season, striking out four and limiting the Lions (35-21) to nine hits to improve to 8-5 on the year. His teammates made it easy, banging out 16 hits in the game.
The game was tied 3-3 through four innings until Bearkat left fielder Nick Zaleski hit his ninth home run of the season to put his team ahead. Sam Houston (33-22) added another run in the sixth before exploding for a five-run seventh inning.
Right fielder Tyler Knight and designated hitter Heath Pugh led the Bearkats with three hits each while Zaleski, second baseman Braeden Riley, shortstop John Reed and first baseman Daniel Nottebart each added two. Riley led the team with three RBI.
Three players accounted for two-thirds of the Lions offense with catcher Josh Cryer, designated hitter Brian McCants and first baseman Joe Sparacino each had two hits.
Brandon Efferson took the loss to even his record to 5-5.
Sam Houston will play UTSA Thursday at 4 p.m. while Southeastern slips into the loser’s bracket to meet Northwestern State Thursday at 9 a.m.
The tournament continues with two more games Wednesday. No. 8 Stephen F. Austin is playing top-seeded Texas State and that game will be followed by No. 5 UT Arlington taking on No. 4 Lamar at 7 p.m.
All Southland Tournament games will be streamed on SLC NOW on the Southland Conference web site at www.southland.org. Live stats are also available on the web site.
Sam Houston Head Coach Mark Johnson
“I think the biggest part of the game is when you have the guy on the bump throwing strikes and keeping you in the game. Sean kept us in the game early and kept battling. We started nipping away and kept putting the ball in play to do well early in the innings. Sean was the story of the day and he did a great job for us. When you can stretch out nine innings from your starting pitcher and not get into your bullpen, it’s a pretty special thing. Zaleski hit the ball well as he has all year, we kind of get used to it but it was good stuff.”
“In our conference, we have so much parity. When you look at the middle group, one game separates so many people. Southeastern La. played very well against us early in our series but we were not going to be intimidated by them. We have gone back and forth, every team has. Its parity and we have a lot of outstanding players and coaches in this conference.
Sam Houston State starting pitcher Sean Weatherford
“I felt great coming out, as soon as I got on the mound I started throwing strikes. I can’t thank my offense and defense enough, they hit the ball great and the defense played great behind me. We hit a couple of bumps in the road heading towards the tournament, but everybody stuck together and just kept on fighting.”
“It was great to get out of the fifth inning without any damage, we practice situations like that and I was prepared for it. It was awesome for our offense to come through like that, it let me know I could just go out there and pound the strike zone and just let the defense do their job.”
Sam Houston State outfielder Nick Zaleski
“We’re a good hitting team, we have been all year and have a good approach up there. We are able to put runs on the board at any point in time during a game.”
“I fouled off a few really good pitches they made and was fortunate enough to get one I could drive. I put a good swing on it and got enough to get it out.
Southeastern Louisiana Head Coach Jay Artigues
“I really tip my hat to Sam Houston, Weatherford did a great job, threw a lot of strikes. He came right at us and their hitters got some big hits for them.”
“We had a chance early on to get some big hits and really extend the lead but we weren’t able to get that big hit and that was disappointing. We had to go to the bullpen and didn’t hold the lead, which was the big difference in the game.”
“We talked about it beforehand, our goal is to win the next ballgame, it doesn’t matter whether we won or lost. We have to come back ready to play tomorrow morning.”
Southeastern Louisiana first baseman Joe Sparacino
“We try to take it game by game, try to get the hits when we can. Today we came up a little short. Tomorrow is a new day, we just have to come out and play how we have been playing and see what happens.”
“Tomorrow is another game, we can’t think about losing and going home. We just have to play to win, that is what we have been doing all year.”