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University of Houston
3-2
No. 11, 13 Michigan
4-1
Softball Upends No. 11 Michigan
2/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 11, 2007
HOUSTON - Laurie Wagner smacked a two-out two-run double in the first inning, while Angel Shamblin provided 3.2 innings of shutout relief as the University of Houston softball team emerged with a 2-1 victory against No. 11 Michigan in the final game of the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational Sunday afternoon at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
It matches the second-highest ranked opponent that Houston (3-2) has defeated in program history.
"Our team did a wonderful job of executing the gameplan and making adjustments from yesterday's game," head coach Kyla Holas said. "There were some bumps and bruises along the way, but our team fought through it to pick up a much-deserved victory against a quality program."
Shamblin entered the game for Candi Kloecker in the fourth inning with runners on the corners and one out. She proceeded to get Teddi Ewing to fly out and Rebekah Milian to ground out to protect the 2-1 advantage.
Michigan (4-1) threatened again in the seventh inning as Ewing and Milian started the frame with back-to-back singles. Shamblin dug deep getting a foul out and fly out before facing ASA/USA Softball Player of the Year candidate Samantha Findlay. The Florida native jumped ahead 1-2 and used a curveball that caught Findlay looking to end the game.
"We've always talked about playing to win," Holas said. "If you have the conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year who aspires to be an All-America selection that's facing a two-time Player of the Year candidate, you have to not be afraid. There was never any doubt in my mind (to pitch to Findlay)."
"There were a lot of emotions going through me," Shamblin said. "I didn't want to make a mistake that she (Findlay) could capitalize on."
The Cougars struck in the opening frame as Jessica Valis smacked a double into the left centerfield gap followed by a Katie Bush walk. With two outs, Wagner cleared the bases with a two-bagger that moved past a diving Alesandra Giampaolo in right centerfield.
"She (Wilson) had my number yesterday," Wagner said. "I saw a lot of curve balls and was thinking she was going to go back to that since it worked so well for her (yesterday). I moved up in my stance and there it was (a curve ball) so I made the most of my chance."
Houston welcomes six more teams to the Cougar Softball Stadium, playing host to the Crowne Plaza Classic next weekend. The Cougars square against four NCAA Tournament teams from last season in No. 9 LSU, Southern Illinois, Indiana and Missouri State in addition to Texas State and Centenary. Fans can follow all of the action live from the Cougar Softball Stadium via Gametracker on UHCougars.com
"Next weekend is one we're geared up for," Holas said. "We have a fantastic field coming in. All six of these programs are quality. It should be a great weekend of softball."
Cougar Notes
Houston's victory over Michigan matched the second-highest ranked opponent that the Cougars have defeated in program history ... The Cougars knocked off No. 7 LSU during the 2003 season and No. 11 Baylor in the 2005 campaign ... Dating back to the 2005 season, Houston has won 28 of their last 36 games inside the Cougar Softball Stadium ... The Cougars also have won 77 of 81 games since the 2004 season when the Cougars carry a lead into the seventh inning ... Jessica Valis and Elaina Nordstrom made their 68th consecutive starts ... Valis has started every game of her Houston career at shortstop and in the leadoff position of the batting order ... Valis and Laurie Wagner were the only Cougars to hit safely in all five games of the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational ... Wagner is now on a career-high five game hitting streak, while Valis has hit safely in 26 of her last 31 games dating back to last season, including a stretch of 11 of her last 13 ... The Shiner native produced her 25th career multi-hit game and is now 21 hits away from reaching the 100-mark ... Houston has won 11 of 15 games with Jessica and Haley Valis in the starting infield ... Katie Bush made her 65th straight start in centerfield ... Bush has hit safely in four of first five games this season ... With two strikeouts in relief, Angel Shamblin is now 13 Ks away from becoming the third UH pitcher to reach 300 career strikeouts ... The Florida native picked up her third win of the season and tied Crystal Briscoe (2003-06) with 30 career wins for the No. 3 spot in program history.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Shamblin, Angel (3-1)
L: Wilson (2-1)
Batting:
RBI: S. Findlay 1
SH: Worthy 1 ; Giampaolo 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Milian 1
Batting:
2B: Valis, Jessica 1 ; Wagner, Laurie 1
RBI: Wagner, Laurie 2
SH: Nordstrom, Elaina 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Valis, Jessica 1 ; Bush, Katie 1
SB: Wagner, Laurie 1
HBP: Wagner, Laurie 1 ; Spittler, Courtney 1
