Sam Houston State’s Jordan Cannon (25) and Mac Odom (1) are congratulated by teammates after scoring in the top of the ninth inning to tie it 4-4 against Incarnate Word on Thursday night. – photo by Joe Alexander

Trailing by two runs with two outs in the ninth inning, Sam Houston State refused to fold.

The Bearkats rallied to beat the Incarnate Word Cardinals 5-4 in 10 innings to claim the Southland Conference’s regular-season title outright.

One out away from losing the opener of a three-game series at UIW’s Sullivan Field, the Bearkats came to life when Jack Rogers singled for two RBI and a tie score at 4-4 in the top of the ninth.

Hunter Hearn added the game winner with a solo shot to lead off the 10th.

Reliever Dakota Mills closed in the bottom of the inning for his ninth save of the season, which sent UIW tumbling to its fifth loss in a row.

Ridge Rogers, Kyle Bergeron, Ryan Flores and Eddy Gonzalez all had two hits for the Cardinals, who remain in the race for a spot in next week’s SLC tournament.

UIW starting pitcher Bernie Martinez allowed four runs on seven hits in 8 and 2/3 innings.

He walked four and struck out seven.

Records

Sam Houston State 36-18, 22-6
Incarnate Word 29-24, 13-15

Incarnate Word starting pitcher Bernie Martinez struck out seven batters and pitched 8 2/3 innings against Sam Houston State. – photo by Joe Alexander

Coming up

Sam Houston at UIW, 2 p.m. Friday
Sam Houston at UIW, 1 p.m. Saturday

Incarnate Word outfielder Ridge Rogers is congratulated by teammates after making a catch against the wall against Sam Houston State. – photo by Joe Alexander