Friday, March 17
Waco, Texas
6 p.m.
University of Houston
12-14
1
at
7
Baylor
20-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Houston
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
3
0
Baylor
0
0
0
0
0
7
X
7
11
1
Houston Falls Late to #21/#20 Baylor
3/17/2023 9:28:00 PM | Softball
A late push by the Bears pushed Baylor past Houston in the series opener
WACO, Texas – The University of Houston softball team couldn't overcome a sixth-inning surge from the #21/#20 Baylor Bears on Friday night at Getterman Stadium.
Â
Bree Cantu hit her ninth career home run for the Cougars (12-14) and finishing 2 for 3 with an RBI. LA Matthews also tallied a hit, extending her hitting streak to three games.
Â
Neither team gained much ground offensively in the game's opening stages. Houston's Kenna Wilkey (7-6) and Baylor's Dariana Orme (9-2) dueled in the circle, allowing only four combined hits through four innings.Â
Â
Cantu got Houston on the board first, used her fifth home run of the season to open the scoring in the fifth, driving a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence to put the Cougars up, 1-0.Â
Â
Baylor (20-5) nearly tied the game in the bottom of the inning, but a Ja'Naiya Thomas run-saving throw kept the Bears from scoring. With a runner on second, Baylor's McKenzie Wilson grounded out to short, but gave the base runner the opportunity to tag up. A missed throw to third resulted in the ball going to the outfield which Thomas collected and delivered perfectly home plate to get the runner and keep the Cougars' shutout intact.
Â
However, the Bears finally brought across a run in the bottom of the sixth. Loading the bases with no outs, a single through the left side tied the game at 1-1, before an error allowed another run to score to put Baylor up 2-1. The Bears capitalized on their momentum added another five runs in the inning, extending their lead and ultimately earning a 7-1 victory.
NOTABLES
·       Thomas has reached in three straight games. Cantu has reached in each of the last six games and has a four-game hitting streak.Â
·       Coleman made her second start behind the plate, while Myers made her second start of the year at third base.Â
·       Matthews is 2 for 2 on stolen base attempts this season with her swipe in the second inning.Â
·       Thomas was hit by a pitch twice in the game, the second time a Houston played was hit by two pitches in a game this season.Â
Â
UP NEXT
Houston continues its weekend set against Baylor on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on Facebook.Â
Â
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Softball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.Â
Â
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISEÂ
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
Â
JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
Â
Â
Bree Cantu hit her ninth career home run for the Cougars (12-14) and finishing 2 for 3 with an RBI. LA Matthews also tallied a hit, extending her hitting streak to three games.
Â
Neither team gained much ground offensively in the game's opening stages. Houston's Kenna Wilkey (7-6) and Baylor's Dariana Orme (9-2) dueled in the circle, allowing only four combined hits through four innings.Â
Â
Cantu got Houston on the board first, used her fifth home run of the season to open the scoring in the fifth, driving a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence to put the Cougars up, 1-0.Â
Â
Baylor (20-5) nearly tied the game in the bottom of the inning, but a Ja'Naiya Thomas run-saving throw kept the Bears from scoring. With a runner on second, Baylor's McKenzie Wilson grounded out to short, but gave the base runner the opportunity to tag up. A missed throw to third resulted in the ball going to the outfield which Thomas collected and delivered perfectly home plate to get the runner and keep the Cougars' shutout intact.
Â
However, the Bears finally brought across a run in the bottom of the sixth. Loading the bases with no outs, a single through the left side tied the game at 1-1, before an error allowed another run to score to put Baylor up 2-1. The Bears capitalized on their momentum added another five runs in the inning, extending their lead and ultimately earning a 7-1 victory.
NOTABLES
·       Thomas has reached in three straight games. Cantu has reached in each of the last six games and has a four-game hitting streak.Â
·       Coleman made her second start behind the plate, while Myers made her second start of the year at third base.Â
·       Matthews is 2 for 2 on stolen base attempts this season with her swipe in the second inning.Â
·       Thomas was hit by a pitch twice in the game, the second time a Houston played was hit by two pitches in a game this season.Â
Â
UP NEXT
Houston continues its weekend set against Baylor on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on Facebook.Â
Â
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Softball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.Â
Â
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISEÂ
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
Â
JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dariana Orme (9-2)
L: Wilkey, Kenna (7-6)
Batting:
HR: Cantu, Bree 1
RBI: Cantu, Bree 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cantu, Bree 1
SB: Matthews, LA 1
HBP: Thomas, Ja'Naiya 2
Batting:
2B: Kaci West 1
RBI: McKenzie Wilson 1 ; Emily Hott 1 ; Sydney Collazos 1 ; Ana Watson 1 ; Kaci West 2 ; Taylor Strain 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McKenzie Wilson 1 ; Ashlyn Wachtendorf 1 ; Emily Hott 1 ; Amber Toven 1 ; Sydney Collazos 1 ; Ana Watson 1 ; Kaci West 1
SB: Presleigh Pilon 1 ; Emily Hott 1 ; Taylor Strain 1
CS: McKenzie Wilson 1
HBP: Josie Bower 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballUTL
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: Houston 5, Utah 2
Sunday, March 30
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, McNeese 6
Wednesday, March 26
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, Lamar 6
Wednesday, March 19
Cinematic Recap vs. Iowa State
Tuesday, March 11