Softball Goes 1-1 on Day Two of Wilson/DeMarini Invitational
Feb. 10, 2007
HOUSTON - Angel Shamblin fired an impressive 7.1 innings of relief, allowing just three hits over two games as the University of Houston softball team dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 11 Michigan but bounced back with a 2-1 victory against Ole Miss in the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational Saturday evening at the Cougar Softball Stadium. "Our goal each season is to take care of conference followed by region wins," head coach Kyla Holas said. "Any win you can get against a Top 25 program is a bonus. Our team saw today that we're right there. We now have a better gage on what we have to work on." The Cougars (2-2) bounced back from a walk-off loss for the second straight day with a comeback victory of its own against Ole Miss. Lauren Grill put the Rebels ahead 1-0 in the third inning with a RBI single to left field that chased UH starter Barbie Love from the game. Houston turned to Shamblin with runners on the corners, and she immediately got out of the jam getting a ground ball out to end the threat. "Angel continues to show what a No. 1 pitcher should be," Holas said. "Good pitchers find a way to win when their stuff isn't at their top level. She did a great job of using the defense to get outs for her." Houston charged back with two runs in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a pair of Ole Miss errors. That would be all of the run support Shamblin would need as the Florida native retired the last 12 batters she faced to secure the 2-1 victory. "I take the same approach whether I'm starting the game or coming out of the bullpen," Shamblin said. "Our defense also did a great job behind me." The Cougars took a 1-0 lead against No. 11 Michigan in the second inning as Laura Durham belted a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence. Teddi Ewing's RBI single allowed the Wolverines to even the score at 1-1 in the fifth inning. The score remained deadlocked and went to the international tiebreaker in extra innings. Houston had a chance to score the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth with the bases loaded and only one out. UM hurler Lorilyn Wilson got Laurie Wagner and Shamblin to strike out in succession to end the threat as the Wolverine ace finished the day with 13 Ks. Michigan used a sacrifice bunt and Rebekah Milion's third hit of the afternoon in the bottom of the frame to edge out the 2-1 win. Jessica Valis went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and recorded a career-best seven putouts from her shortstop post for the Cougars. "It's all about the next pitch right now," Valis said. "It's comes down to the last pitch in every game. We just need to keep the intensity up." Houston wraps up the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational Sunday, getting another crack against No. 11 Michigan. First pitch against the Wolverines is slated for 12:30pm. Fans can follow all of the action via Gametracker on UHCougars.com "We need to get some momentum going into next week with another tough weekend ahead in addition to a short week of practice to work," Holas said. "We need to finish on a high and continue to make progress."
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