Shamblin Breaks Career Strikeout Record as Softball Defeats UCF
May 11, 2007
UCF vs. Houston Box Score (PDF)
ORLANDO, Fla. - Angel Shamblin tallied eight strikeouts to break the program's career strikeout record as the University of Houston softball team won a 2-1 decision over UCF Thursday evening during day one of the Conference USA Championship at UCF Softball Complex. The Florida native passed Jenny Johnson (2001-04) for the No. 1 spot by striking out Cici Alvarez to end the third inning. She was touched up for an unearned run on three hits en route to her 27th victory of the season. "Anytime you have a pitcher like Angel on the mound and can give her a lead, she can just go to work," head coach Kyla Holas said. "She gave up a couple of hits on 0-2 pitches early in the game and did an excellent job of making adjustments afterwards." "The beginning of the game was a little nerve wracking," Shamblin said. "There was a lot of energy and emotion in the stadium. I wouldn't have been able to accomplish the strikeout record without my teammates and coaches. This record isn't one person's accomplishment. My catcher Elaina Nordstrom does a great job of setting up a lot of those pitches." Houston (40-16) reached the 40-win mark for the second consecutive season and advances to face the winner of the Marshall-Memphis elimination game at 5:30pm CDT Friday.
Each of the Houston players also wore red wristbands with the No. 22 on them to honor Conference USA Player of the Year and shortstop Jessica Valis, who suffered a season-ending injury. The Shiner native is not with the team in Orlando. "It's a wonderful gesture because Jessica is a big part of our team," second baseman Haley Valis said. "This is a way for us to keep her in our mind no matter what." The Cougars grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning as Laura Durham cranked a majestic blast to straight-away centerfield. The homer for Durham was the 18th of her Houston career and moved her into a tie with Jeanie Davis (2002-05) for fourth place on the program's list. "I've been focusing more on tracking the ball the last couple of days at practice because it's something that I've lost over the last month of the season," Durham said. "I saw the ball well in my first at-bat but made the necessary adjustments to make solid contact through the ball in my second at-bat." The Golden Knights (36-25) took advantage of a Shamblin fielding error to start the sixth inning. After an Amber Lamb sacrifice bunt moved Alvarez to second base, Breanne Javier provided the equalizer with a RBI-single. With one out and the score tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Elaina Nordstrom reached on a throwing error by UCF catcher Cat Snapp after being struck out. Christa Raley followed by reaching on a fielder's choice and stole second base. Haley Valis followed by knocking a two-out, RBI-single down the left field line scoring Raley and giving the Cougars a 2-1 advantage. "I credit our assistant coach Beth McClendon on sending Christa in that situation," Holas said. "She's made that play happen by trusting her gut so that Haley could take advantage and get that big hit." Shamblin bounced back from a two-out walk to UCF pinch-hitter Shelly Frick in the seventh inning and struck out Kacie Feaster looking to secure Houston's 2-1 win. The Cougars square off with the winner of the Marshall-Memphis elimination game at 5:30pm CDT Friday. A live radio webcast in addition to live stats via GameTracker will be available on UHCougars.com "Whoever comes out of that game is going to be a battle," Holas said. "This is a closely matched conference tournament as shown by the results of each game today."
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