A close game turned into a blowout as the Sam Houston Bearkats lose to the Houston Cougars 14-3 Tuesday night.

The loss evens up the Don Sanders Cup to one game a piece as the Bearkats (20-14, 12-3) took the first game on March 28 against the Cougars (18-15, 4-2) 9-3 at Don Sanders Stadium.

It was was tied at 3-3 heading into the fifth inning.

Joe Redfield got things started with a 2-run home run at the top of the first inning to make it 2-0 Bearkats.

Houston would take the lead back in the bottom half that included an RBI single by Justin Murray to give the Cougars a 3-2 lead.

Easton Loyd would get the game back to even after he hit a sacrifice fly to score Jake Tatom that made it 3-3.

The wheels then came of the wagon and it crashed.

This time in Houston’s favor.

After Logan Hewitt started the game for Sam Houston, going four innings allowing just the three runs, the Kats bullpen was put to work.

Houston would up scoring 11 runs on them to take the victory.

The Cougars were led by Brandon Uhse who went 3-for-4 with five RBI.

Justin Murray would hit in three runs of his of his own as well.

Marshall Wales received the loss for Sam Houston and Brendan O’Donnell got the win for Houston.

Redfield went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Tyler Davis got a go at the mound in the eighth inning in which he worked a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout.

It is a step to coming back fully from Tommy John Surgery.

Sam Houston and Houston will have one more game to decide the Don Sanders Cup. The rubber match will be held at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas, on May 16.

The Bearkats will now shift their focus to this weekend as they will travel to St. George, Utah, to face the Utah Tech Trailblazers in a 3-game series.

First game is on Friday with first pitch at 7 p.m. CT.