University of Houston
UAB
C-USA Tournament Berth Is Secured In Twin-Bill Sweep
5/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 7, 2005
HOUSTON - A two-run homer by senior designated player Jenilee Skender in Game 1 of the Houston's twin bill against UAB on Saturday, ensured the Cougar softball team a spot in the upcoming Conference USA Softball Tournament next week.
Houston's duo of freshman Angel Shamblin and sophomore Carla Kennimer picked up their 10th wins of the season with neither pitcher giving up any earned runs in a 6-2 win for Shamblin and a 4-3 victory for Kennimer at the Cougar Softball Field.
The Cougars improved to 28-26 overall and 11-12 in C-USA play, a mark that ensures the team the No. 5 seed in the upcoming tournament. UAB falls to 23-37 and 7-16 in league play, and will just miss the tournament as the No. 7 team in the conference.
For Skender, her home run in Game 1 proved to not only be the game-winner, but it was also her third roundtrip in as many games after blasting Louisville for a solo shot and a grand slam in two separate contests last weekend.
Senior Kristen Glowacz dismantled the UAB pitching staff with another torrid performance at the plate. The third baseman was 2-for-5 with three runs, seven RBI and two home runs on the day.
Glowacz padded the Cougar lead in Game 1 with her second grand slam of the season, and then followed up that performance in the second game with a three-run blast that won the ballgame for the Cougars.
In Game 1, the Cougars and Blazers played through three scoreless innings before the Cougars got on the board with Skender's two-run blast that brought home Glowacz who had reached base on a walk.
The next inning Glowacz shut the door on the Blazers with her grand-slam bomb that pushed the Houston lead to 6-0, and allowed the team to still give up two runs in the seventh and come out with the victory at 6-2.
More theatrics were provided by the Cougars in the second game, after starting pitcher Crystal Briscoe gave up one run in the first inning, which was quickly matched by senior Kim Nesloney who reached base on a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Brandi Clark and then reached home off an error by the UAB third baseman.
Tied at 1-1, the Blazers found life in the top of the second, stringing together four hits to produce two more runs and take a 3-1 lead.
On the season, the Cougars were 5-18 when the opposing team scored first, but Houston made it 6-18 with a three-run jack by Glowacz in the fifth inning to go ahead 4-3. Houston held on for the win as Kennimer closed out the game to earn the Cougar victory, scattering two hits and allowing zero runs in 4.1 innings of work.
In the second game, the Blazers also out hit the Cougars 8-5, marking just the third time this season the Houston has managed to beat their opponent when being out hit (Houston is now 3-17 when being out hit).
Sunday's matchup at the Cougar Softball Field will be the final game for six Cougar senior who will be celebrating their careers at the University of Houston with Senior Day. The first pitch is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, with the seniors being honored prior to the start of the game.
