April 26, 2008

Final Stats

Game One Box Score in PDF Format

Game Two Box Score in PDF Format

Birmingham, Ala. -- The University of Houston softball team earned two wins over UAB Saturday in Birmingham, Ala., with scores of 4-0 and 8-3. With the wins the ninth-ranked Cougars improve to 43-7 and 17-2 in Conference USA. They now hold a 17-6 lead in the all-time series against the Blazers.

UH won the first game, 4-0, behind a two-run home run from junior Laurie Wagner in the fourth inning. Senior pitcher Angel Shamblin also moved to 26-2 in the circle this season. She allowed two hits, no runs, no walks and nine strikeouts.

Junior Jessica Valis started the game off reaching base on an error by the left fielder and advancing on a wild pitch. She scored on a sacrifice hit by junior Katie Bush.

Houston was held scoreless through the next two innings until junior Wagner's two-run home run to left field in the fourth inning. She plated freshman Jennifer Klinkert who reached base on a double down the left field line. The home run was Wagner's 16th this season, one shy of the single season record of 17 set by Kristen Glowacz in 2005.

The Cougars put a final run on the board in the sixth inning when freshman Baillie Lott reached base on a walk. She would score on the next at bat when Jessica Valis hit a double past shortstop.

Game Two- Houston 8, UAB 3
The Cougars took the second game with a score of 8-3, despite falling behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Barbie Love pitched the complete game, allowing four hits, three runs, three walks and nine strikeouts. She improves to 10-2 in the circle.

UAB took the early 2-0 lead after the Blazers' Kayla Harris hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning.

Houston would quickly regain the lead in their second at bat putting up five runs in the second inning behind a double from junior Haley Valis. In the second, the Cougars batted through the line-up, while forcing two UAB errors.

Wagner and senior Amanda Grote hit back-to-back singles to leadoff the third inning. Haley Valis put them both on second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Wagner would eventually score on a fielding error by the UAB third baseman and Grote on a single by junior Krista Raley. Raley would cap the scoring in the inning when she crossed home after junior Elaina Nordstrom walked with the bases loaded.

That would cap the scoring in the game for the Cougars as they would hold on for the win.

The Blazers scored one more run in the second inning. Laura Callaway would score for UAB after a leadoff double in the inning.

Up Next
Houston will wrap-up the series on Sunday with a single game slated to begin at 1pm. Fans can follow the game using the Gametracker link on the softball schedule page at www.UHCougars.com.

Following the series at UAB, Houston will return home for a doubleheader against Louisiana-Lafayette on April 30. Houston will hold a ceremony to present the 2007 C-USA Championship team with their rings following the second game.

UH will close out conference play with a series against UTEP on May 3-4. The four seniors, including Angel Shamblin, Barbie Love, Amanda Grote and Courtney Spittler will be honored in between the May 3 doubleheader.