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Cougars Claim a Pair of Games in Conference Opener Against Southern Miss
March 13, 2010
HOUSTON – In its Conference USA opener, the University of Houston softball team claimed a pair of wins against Southern Miss at Cougar Softball Stadium Saturday. Houston improves to a 12-9 record as the Golden Eagles fall to 12-8 on the season.
Game One Houston 4, Southern Miss 3
Houston claimed its first league win in its Conference USA season opener in game one against Southern Miss. Amanda Crabtree (3-4) pitched a complete game, scattering three hits over eight innings of work. The Kingwood, Texas native struck out a career high of 14 batters.
After a scoreless first inning, Southern Miss posted the game’s first run and threatened to continue with bases loaded but Crabtree pulled through with a strikeout, sending the batter to the dugout swinging.
The Cougars had the chance to knot the contest in the bottom of the frame. After reaching first on a walk, Jennifer Klinkert advanced to second on Angela Spittler’s sacrifice bunt and then to third on a passed ball. Unfortunately for Houston, Klinkert’s opportunity was cut short when Holly Anderson grounded out to second base to end the inning.
After the Golden Eagles put up two additional runs in the third inning, Klinkert finished her task in the fourth, scoring the Cougars’ first run. The first baseman walked and attempted to steal second. She was almost caught but a dropped ball by shortstop Jill Mathis prolonged her quest. Another error off Mathis’ glove allowed Klinkert to score. The Cougars then occupied all bases after a pair of walks. With two outs, Baillie Lott came in to pinch hit for Katy Beth Sherman but struck out.
In the fifth frame, Brooke Lathan blasted her fourth career home run to left center off the inning’s first pitch. Spittler tied the game for the Cougars in the sixth after belting a single through the left side and shifting to second on an illegal pitch. The right fielder crossed home plate courtesy of Sherman’s double.
With back-to-back singles by Mary Tyler Dobson and Melissa Gregson and a walk by Spittler, the Cougars once again found themselves with bases loaded and on the verge of a game-changing play. Designated player Reina Gaber belted a hit to left field but the wind took hold of it and pushed it slightly into foul territory. She proceeded to ground out to second base and sent the game into extra innings.
Houston retired the side in the eighth inning. Anderson reached on a throwing error by Mathis and eventually made it home for the game-winning run when Jones outran the throw to first after singling to the shortstop.
Game Two Houston 10, Southern Miss 5
The Cougars pulled out the second win against the Golden Eagles as they doubled their runs in the sixth inning to secure a victory. Bailey Watts receives the win as the freshman pitcher improves to a 7-3 record after seven innings of work.
Southern Miss began the second game with a vengeance, notching a commanding lead of 5-0 by the second half inning. Jennifer Klinkert hit a home run – her third this season and the 18th of her career – to stop the bleeding in the bottom of the frame.
Holly Anderson turned an impressive double play in the fourth when she caught a line drive from Stephanie Shiflet and threw Brandi Alonzo out at first. In the bottom of the frame, Angela Spittler hit her first career bomb to center field. Reina Gaber followed with a single to centerfield and proceeded to second on an illegal pitch. Holly Anderson shot a single up the middle, advancing Gaber to third. Anderson stole second to get in scoring position but the two runners were left stranded after the pitcher retired the next three batters.
A pair of singles from Dobson and Klinkert and a Gaber walk loaded the bases for the Cougars in the sixth inning. Spittler singled deep into centerfield, sending Dobson and Klinkert home. Gaber could not outrun the Southern Miss defense and was thrown out at third. Golden Eagles pitcher Gabby Luciani was replaced by Beth Dietrich to salvage the inning but not without allowing two more runs. Anderson reached on an error by the second basemen that let the ball slip through her legs which gave Spittler enough time to tie the game 5-5.
Southern Miss could not score any runs in the sixth frame and sent the Cougars into the inning that would seal the game’s fate. In a scoring frenzy, Houston put up five runs against the Golden Eagles, four of which were collected with two outs on the board.
Up Next The Cougars continue their opening Conference USA series on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for noon.
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