University of Houston
Texas
Cougars Lose Duel to Longhorns 3-0
3/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Houston softball team was shut out 3-0 by No. 4 Texas Thursday night at McCombs Field. The Longhorns scored all three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on two Cougar fielding errors as Houston dropped to 22-13 overall.
Both teams remained scoreless as Texas and Houston pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts in the first five innings. Texas' Lindsay Gardner picked up a hit in the fourth, a short bunt, and the pitching duel continued as Longhorn pitchers Cat Osterman and Lizi Sowers kept the Cougar bats silent.
Freshman Brooke Johnson laid down a bunt in the top of the sixth for Houston's first hit of the night and was moved into scoring position by a Lindsay Durham sacrifice bunt. Texas' third pitcher of the night, Amy Bradford, held the next two batters from driving in Durham.
Action came in the bottom of the sixth inning as Tina Boutelle and Gardner reached on consecutive Cougar errors and Houston pitcher Jamie Falco was replaced by Jenny Johnson. Boutelle scored on a wild pitch to put the Longhorns on the board. Johnson then walked Tamara Poppe and with runners in scoring position, Sievers singled to right field to drive in two more runs. Alexis Garcia followed with a single of her own but Johnson held on to the final two batters as Texas took a 3-0 lead.
Houston's Jenilee Skender hit a two-out single to left center in the top of the seventh for the Cougars' second hit of the night, but it was not enough as No. 4 Texas prevailed 3-0.
Junior hurler Jamie Falco (10-5) struck out five, walked one and was credited with the two hits and the loss in five innings of work. Johnson (7-5) gave up two hits and walked one of her six batters faced.
The Cougars, who lead Conference USA in fielding errors (45), committed three errors in the loss. Texas now leads the all-time series against Houston 5-0.
Houston will take a week off and return to action March 27 to face Alabama A&M in a non-conference doubleheader at 5 p.m. at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
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