HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — The Sam Houston Bearkats erupted for six runs in the first two innings and cruised to a 13-3 victory over the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday at Don Sanders Stadium.

The Bearkats (7-7) capitalized on early control issues and defensive miscues by the Panthers (2-8) to build an insurmountable lead, improving to .500 on the season.

Sam Houston sent nine men to the plate in a chaotic bottom of the first inning against Prairie View starter Kenneth Haynes, who failed to record an out. Haynes walked the leadoff batter, allowed a bunt single, and issued another walk to load the bases. He was then replaced by Dakari Hayes, who promptly hit Nathan Fink to force in a run and walked Blake Brown to bring in another. A run-scoring single by Corcoran capped the four-run frame, erasing an early three-run deficit the Panthers had established before even recording a hit.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the second inning, where Sam Houston broke the game open for good. With two runners on via walks and a bunt single, Fink reached on a fielder’s choice. On the play, a throwing error by the catcher allowed two runs to score. Brown then grounded out to bring home another, stretching the lead to 6-3. The Bearkats scored six unanswered runs, only three of which were earned, off three Prairie View pitchers in the first two innings.

Prairie View’s only offense came via the long ball and a fourth-inning rally. Center fielder Basilio Williams launched a solo home run to left field in the third inning, measuring 340 feet with an exit velocity of 99.3 mph. In the fourth, the Panthers strung together a double by Corie Locket, a walk and a two-out, RBI single by Jordan Williams to score one, followed by an RBI groundout from Brenton Jackson to plate another, cutting the deficit to 8-5.

That rally prompted Sam Houston to go to its bullpen, bringing in right-hander Gabriel Winans. The move proved decisive. Winans, whose most recent outing on Feb. 28 saw him allow six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings at Oklahoma State, delivered a stellar performance in relief. He entered with two on and two out in the fourth and induced an inning-ending groundout. Winans then tossed three more scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four to earn the win. His 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief stifled any chance of a Panther comeback.

Sam Houston added insurance runs steadily, aided by more Prairie View errors. Jace Martinez was a catalyst for the Bearkats, going 2 for 4 with three stolen bases, including a daring steal of home in the third inning. Nathan Fink drove in two runs, while Jeric Curtis and Blake Brown each added two RBIs.

For Prairie View, reliever Alejandro Marquez provided a bright spot with three hitless innings of work, allowing one unearned run and striking out four.

Sam Houston finished with 11 hits, drew 11 walks and was hit by three pitches. Prairie View committed four errors, leading to six unearned runs for the Bearkats. The Panthers managed eight hits in the contest.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Friday evening. Prairie View is set to visit Stetson on March 11 before opening a series at Bethune-Cookman. Sam Houston will travel to face Baylor on March 10 before hosting Jacksonville State for a three-game series starting March 13.