Feb. 23, 2008

Stats

UH vs. Kansas box score in PDF Format

UH vs. Centenary box score in PDF Format

HOUSTON- The University of Houston softball team made history Saturday night, winning 13-straight games to start the 2008 season. This is the first time in program history the Cougars have won 13 consecutive games. The last time the Cougars won consecutive games to open a season was in 2002 when they started with an 11-0 mark falling to Baylor.

The Cougars earned their first win of the night, 7-3, over Kansas.

The score was tied at zero until junior Laurie Wagner hit her second home run of the season in the bottom of the second inning. Senior Courtney Spittler followed that up with double to knock junior Christa Raley in to give the Cougars an early 2-0 lead.

The Jayhawks had two on base in the third, but the Cougar defense wouldn't allow Kansas across home plate and the Jayhawks ended the inning scoreless. In the bottom of the inning, Wagner hit a line drive to right field and knocked in junior Jessica Valis for a Cougar score.

The Houston offense continued to roll when senior Amanda Grote hit a line drive single to right field in the bottom of the fourth and Raley knocked her in with a bomb over the left field fence to give the Cougars a 5-0 lead.

The Cougars continued their hitting streak in the sixth when Wagner hit a double with just one out. Junior Haley Valis hit her third home run of the season to send Wagner in. Despite loading the bases with the next three batters, Kansas was able to get out of the inning on a fielder's choice.

Kansas would respond late in the game with home runs from Brittany Hile and Sara Ramirez but it wouldn't be enough as Houston came away with the win.

Shamblin took her sixth win, allowing only three runs, five hits and striking out seven. This is only the second time this season that the Cougars allowed three runs from an opponent. The last time was against Nicholls State in the opening weekend of play when the Cougars won, 4-3.

Houston 7, Centenary 1
Houston capped the night off with a 7-1 win over Centenary College.

Wagner reached base on a walk to start things off for UH in the second inning. After advancing around the bases she would eventually score on a passed ball. The Ladies' pitcher struggled early and Houston capitalized to take the early 3-0 advantage.

Brittany Williams of Centenary hit a home run to give the Ladies one run in the bottom of the second.

Wagner once again scored in the third inning and senior Barbie Love responded by retiring the next three batters in the third and fourth innings.

With the opening pitch of the fifth inning, Klinkert slammed a home run over the centerfield fence for her sixth home run of the season. Grote would then score on an overthrow and J. Valis knocked H. Valis in on a single to give the Cougars a 7-1 lead. Love would retire the next three straight batters in the bottom of the fifth for the third consecutive inning.

Houston would use strong defense to hold on for the win.

Love got her fourth win of the season allowing only one run, one hit and striking out twelve.

The Marriot Houston Classic wraps up tomorrow beginning at 9 am when Boston and Centenary take the field. The Cougars play their last game of the tournament tomorrow scheduled at 1 pm against Texas State.

Live Stats for Sunday's games will be available by logging on to www.uhcougars.com.