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University of Houston
&Northern Iowa
Cougars Split, Still Capture Tournament Title
2/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 16, 2003
Behind a complete-game performance by pitcher Jamie Falco, the University of Houston softball team defeated Northern Iowa, 6-1, to capture the title at the Hilton Houston Plaza Cougar Invitational held this past weekend at the Cougar Softball Complex.
Later in the afternoon the Cougars fell to Stephen F. Austin, 5-3, to fall to 5-5 on the season.
Falco pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one unearned run while scattering four hits and striking out seven Panther batters. Against the powerful UNI lineup, Falco held the Panther batters at bay to improve to 2-2 on the season.
The Cougars scored one in the first when catcher Arelis Ferreris singled down the left field line to score shortstop Jaci Gonzalez who had reached on an error and advanced to third. In the third inning the Cougars broke the game open with a three spot, as centerfielder Kim Nesloney sparked the attack by drawing a walk to open the frame. After stealing second, Nesloney moved to third on a single by Ferreris and later scored, along with Ferreris, on a one-out double by third baseman Kristen Glowacz. Later, Glowacz scored on the front end of a perfectly executed double steal with Candis Turnbo.
Houston iced the game in the fifth inning when designated player Jenilee Skender plated both Jeanie Davis and Glowacz with a single to left center.
Glowacz and Skender had two RBI apiece, while Ferreris joined Glowacz in the top hit category with two hits.
In the final game of the tournament, the Cougars' struggled with their defense; committing season-high six errors in allowing the LadyJacks to pull out a 5-3 win. Even though UH, SFA and Northern Iowa all ended the three-day tournament with identical 4-1 records, the Cougars captured the championship by virtue of a better-run differential between the three top teams.
With three runs in the bottom of the second, it looked as though the Cougars were going to win the title outright. With pitcher Crystal Briscoe on the mound, Houston breezed along until the defensive lapses allowed SFA to plate two runs in the third inning. Two innings later the LadyJacks scored two more runs to take the lead, and then cushioned their advantage with an insurance run in the sixth.
The Cougars managed only four hits in blustery, cold conditions at the Cougar Softball Complex. Briscoe pitched three solid innings before giving way to Jenny Johnson, who absorbed the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year.
Houston will be in action this weekend, when they play host to another tournament. Texas Tech, Oregon, Kentucky and Texas-San Antonio are all scheduled to participate.
