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University of Houston
Boston
Cougars Split Again in Final Day of Fastpitch Classic
3/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 16, 2003
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team dropped a 5-1 decision to Missouri but shut out Boston 9-0 to finish 2-2 in the 2003 Houston Crowne Plaza Fastpitch Classic at the Cougar Softball Stadium. With the weekend split, Houston is 20-12 overall and remains 6-0 in Conference USA play.
The Boston Terriers (2-11) defeated the Tigers (15-11) 8-7 in eight innings to pick up their only win of the tournament.
After eight innings and a loss to Boston, Missouri sought revenge on Houston in the top of the first as Sara Vassmer singled and Heather Kunkel homered to left field to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Rachael McGinnis took Jenny Johnson's next pitch out of the park to put another run on the board as freshman pitcher Crystal Briscoe came in to hold Mizzou's lead to 3-0.
The Tigers continued their offensive threat in the sixth inning as McGinnis singled to right and scored on a double by Daisy Mettlach. Morgan Lecluyse followed with a single of her own to drive in Mettlach and then advanced to third on a Jeni Schellert single. Junior outfielder Candis Turnbo threw out Lecluyse at home plate and Briscoe held off the next batter as the Cougars ended the inning down 5-0.
Kristen Glowacz opened the bottom of the seventh with her ninth double of the season. Jenilee Skender hit a shot to center field and reached on a fielding error and Glowacz advanced to third. Michelle Keith knocked in Glowacz on a fielder's choice to put Houston on the board but it was not enough as the Cougars fell 5-1.
Jenny Johnson (6-5) faced only four batters in the first inning and allowed three hits to pick up the loss. Briscoe (5-3) struck out five, had no walks and allowed eight hits. Glowacz, a two-time C-USA Hitter of the Week in 2003, had Houston's two hits.
It was a different story for Houston in game two, who opened the contest against Boston with four runs in the top of the first. Gonzalez led off with a double to right center and was followed by a Kim Nesloney walk. Both advanced a base on a wild pitch by Erin McDonald and Glowacz walked to load the bases for Skender. Skender popped up to first base but Arelis Ferreris stepped to the plate and singled to drive in two runs. Turnbo singled to drive in Glowacz and Ferreris as Houston took a 4-0 advantage.
Houston posted five more runs on a total of 10 hits to shut out Boston 9-0 in six innings. Jamie Falco (9-4) struck out four, walked one and allowed only four Terrier hits in six innings of work. Turnbo and Gonzalez led Houston with three hits each; Glowacz added two and Ferreris and Davis rounded out the Cougar offense with one hit each.
The Cougars will host the University of Texas at Arlington Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
