Softball Loses Close Affair to No. 5 LSU

Feb. 17, 2007

HOUSTON - Leslie Klein and Killian Roessner hit a pair of home runs as No. 5 LSU picked up a 5-3 win over the University of Houston softball team Friday evening in the Crowne Plaza Classic at the Cougar Softball Stadium.

"We're still trying to find where we at in a couple of areas," head coach Kyla Holas said. "Our team competed hard and never gave up against a quality LSU club. There were a couple of bounces here and there that made the difference."

"It was a wild ride," catcher Elaina Nordstrom said. "Our team handled its emotions really well. This type of game shows that our team can compete with anyone in the nation."

Houston (4-3) used heads-up baserunning to grab a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Jessica Valis reached on a fielders' choice and stole second base. Katie Bush grounded out to shortstop and a Tiger throwing error by Andrea Smith pulled first baseman Vanessa Soto off the bag. Valis alertly ran towards home and slide in safely to put the Cougars up 1-0.

The Tigers responded by posting a three spot in the fourth inning. After putting runners on the corners, the Cougars turned to Angel Shamblin out of the bullpen. Klein knocked a 3-2 Shamblin curve ball over the centerfield fence pushing LSU ahead 3-1.

Houston answered in the home half of the frame as Nordstrom cranked a solo shot to draw the Cougars within 3-2.

"I went up to the plate in my second at-bat with a different approach," Nordstrom said. "I was locked in and was able to take advantage of a mistake."

The Tigers added two more runs in the sixth inning making it 5-2 on a Roessner long ball down the left field line.

Once again, Houston charged backed in the bottom of the inning as Christa Raley was hit-by-a-pitch and moved to third base on two stolen bases. Shamblin lifted a RBI-single to centerfield to pull the Cougars back to a 5-3 deficit.

The Cougars continued to climb back as Valis and Bush strung together back-to-back singles to start the seventh inning. With runners on second and third base, ASA/USA Softball Player of the Year candidate Emily Turner proceeded to get two pop-ups and a ground out to secure the 5-3 win.

Houston continues the Crowne Plaza Classic Saturday afternoon with contests against Indiana and Southern Illinois. First pitch against the Hoosiers is on-tap for 3:30pm. Admission is free this weekend to the Cougar Softball Stadium.

"I told our team that this weekend is far from over," Holas said. "We need to go out and take care of business. Our goal is to play the same intensity as we did against LSU minus the few mistakes."

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Angel Shamblin

Jessica Valis

Katie Bush

Elaina Nordstrom