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University of Houston
South Florida
Softball Splits DH with No. 19 South Florida
5/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 3, 2003
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team split a Conference USA doubleheader with No. 19 South Florida Saturday, losing 2-0 and winning 7-5 at the Cougar Softball Stadium. The split secures the Bulls' No. 2 and Cougars' No. 3 seeding, respectively, in next week's Houston- hosted C-USA Tournament.
Junior Jamie Falco (13-9) pitched a complete game one, allowing six hits and striking out four of 24 batters to pick up the loss.
Both teams remained scoreless in game one until South Florida's Carmela Liwag led off with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth inning. Courtney Lewellen followed with a single and was advanced to second on a fielder's choice.
The Houston defense responded with a double play but with a runner on third, Renee Oursler doubled to left field to score Lewellen and give the Bulls (50-15, 16-6 C-USA) a 2-0 advantage.
South Florida pitcher Leigh Ann Ellis allowed only one hit (a single by Arelis Ferreris in the second) and struck out six to pick up her 30th win of the season.
The Cougars and Bulls picked up their offense in game two, totaling a combined 20 hits and 12 runs. Houston took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second as senior Amber King led off with a single and freshman Brandi Clark followed with a home run (fourth) over the left field fence.
Houston (35-21, 15-8 C-USA) scored two more runs on two hits and one error in the third inning. Kristen Glowacz reached on a fielder's choice and came around to score as Ferreris singled and advanced to second on a bad throw. Jenilee Skender was intentionally walked and King followed with a single to drive in Ferreris.
South Florida put runs on the board in the third, fourth and fifth innings, trailing 6-3 heading into the fifth. The Cougars also posted single runs in the fourth, fifth and six innings and went on to prevail 7-5 to pick up their second win over a top 25 team in 2003.
South Florida's five pitchers gave up a total of 11 hits while starter Rachel Rosenbaum (1-1) picked up the loss. Houston's Jenny Johnson (12-7) was credited with the win and freshman Crystal Briscoe picked up her first career save. Johnson gave up four runs but struck out seven in five innings of work.
Ferreris led the Houston offense, going 4-for-4 with three singles and a double for two RBI. King was 3-for-4 and also picked up two RBI in the win. Kim Nesloney, Kristen Glowacz, Michelle Keith and Clark each added a hit.
The Cougars return to C-USA play tomorrow when they wrap up the South Florida series and regular season play at 1 p.m. at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
Sunday's game will also mark the final regular-season appearance of Cougar senior infielder Amber King (Baytown, Texas). Team manager Megan Howard will also be honored in the Senior Day festivities.
UH and the Cougar squad will host the 2003 C-USA Softball Tournament Thursday through Saturday at the Cougar Softball Stadium. The top six league finishers will compete in the double-elimination tournament with the championship game to be held Saturday at 2 p.m.
---www.UHcougars.com---
