Softball Wins Extra-Inning Affair with Southern Miss
April 22, 2006
Southern Miss at Houston Game Two Box Score (PDF)
HOUSTON - Jaci Gonzalez ripped a triple followed by a Jessica Valis sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to propel the University of Houston softball team to a 3-2 comeback victory over Southern Miss in game two of a Conference USA weekend series at the Cougar Softball Stadium. "These are a pair of huge statement wins for us," head coach Kyla Holas said. "I was extremely proud with the fight and determination even when behind that the team showed today." Gonzalez drove a 1-0 pitch over the head of USM right fielder Mellissa Prouty for only her third career triple with one out in the ninth. Valis drove home only her seventh RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly for the walkoff victory. With runners on first and second base in the top of the frame, Gonzalez completed a spectacular double play making a backhand stab going towards the hole, stepped on second base and fired a bullet over to Christa Raley at first. Carla Kennimer improved to 7-1 in the circle firing a career-best nine strong innings. The southpaw also matched a career-high with seven strikeouts allowing only two hits on the afternoon. She is now 4-0 in C-USA action.
Danielle Wymer was tagged with the loss dropping to 6-6 spraying seven hits over 8.2 innings of work. Trailing 2-0 entering the sixth inning, Valis started the Houston rally with an infield single. After Katie Bush and Elaina Nordstrom loaded the bases with a pair of walks, Christa Raley was hit-by-a-pitch to draw the Cougars within 2-1. After Angel Shamblin lined out to second base, Laura Durham drew the Cougars even at 2-2 with a two-out walk. "I had all of the confidence in the world that my teammates were going to pick us up on offense when we were down," Kennimer said. "Every win at this point in the season is gigantic." Charity Butler put Southern Miss on the board with a two-run home run to right field in the third inning. The two teams finish the weekend series with a single game Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1pm at the Cougar Softball Stadium. Live stats will be available on UHCougars.com "We know that Southern Miss is going to be fired up and ready to play tomorrow," Gonzalez said. "We have to go out and match their intensity level. There is a lot at stake tomorrow and we'll be ready to go."
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