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University of Houston
7-4
Centenary
1-9
Softball Steamrolls Centenary
2/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2007
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team got RBIs from six different players in a 9-1 rout of Centenary Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Crowne Plaza Classic at the Cougar Softball Stadium. The nine runs are a season-high for Houston.
"We all pulled together after the slow start and said that we needed to get things going," third baseman Laura Durham said. "Our offense was able to turn it on and get some timely hits with runners on-base."
"Our team needed a game like this after what transpired last night," head coach Kyla Holas said. "We were capable of a much better weekend, but we can't look back on what didn't happen."
The Cougars (6-4) flew out to a 3-0 advantage in the third inning as Amanda Grote opened the frame with a leadoff walk and stole second base. After a Jessica Valis infield single, pinch hitter Samantha Cummings scored both runs with a double to left centerfield. The RBIs for Cummings were the first in her Cougar career. Elaina Nordstrom capped the inning with a RBI-single to make it 3-0.
"Sam is starting to come along at the plate," Holas said. "She was composed and had some quality at-bats this weekend. I have no problems giving her some more opportunities."
Centenary (1-9) fired back with a run of its own in the fourth inning on an Allison McClain RBI-single to close within 3-1.
The Cougars retook the momentum on a pair of spectacular defensive plays from Valis. She alertly gunned down a runner at the plate to stop the Ladies rally in the fourth. In the next frame, Valis fully extended and tagged a runner out as she was heading towards home.
Houston sent nine batters to the plate and put together a six-run fifth inning to close out the game. The Cougars loaded the bases and Christa Raley knocked a RBI-single. With the bases still loaded, Laurie Wagner broke out of a 0-for-14 slump over the weekend and cleared the bases with a double off the left field fence to stretch the Houston lead to 7-1.
"She (Wagner) was really excited about that," Holas said. "When you find yourself in a rut like that, you have to keep moving forward to the next at-bat until something comes. She continued to stay in the hitting plan even when she was frustrated and it paid big dividends for her today."
Durham provided a RBI-double of her own and Brett Moody closed out the game on a fielder's choice.
Carla Kennimer improved to 2-0, scattering six hits over four innings. She allowed one run and struck out three, while Barbie Love provided an inning of scoreless relief.
Houston hits the road for the first time this season Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader scheduled at No. 15 Baylor. First pitch against the Bears is set for 4pm.
"Baylor is going to be a challenge for our team," Holas said. "We don't have a winning record in Waco, and we're going to have to play our `A' game to be successful."
Live stats from Getterman Stadium will be available on UHCougars.com
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kennimer, Carla (2-0)
L: Kelsey Greeson (0-4)
Batting:
2B: Emerald Doria 1 ; Lindsey Virdell 1
RBI: Allison McClain 1
SH: Lauren Flowers 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lauren Flowers 1
CS: Jennifer Martin 1
HBP: Allison Shepperd 1 ; Lauren Flowers 1
Batting:
2B: Cummings, Samantha 1 ; Wagner, Laurie 1 ; Durham, Laura 2
RBI: Cummings, Samantha 2 ; Nordstrom, Elaina 1 ; Raley, Christa 1 ; Wagner, Laurie 3 ; Durham, Laura 1 ; Moody, Brett 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Valis, Jessica 2 ; Shamblin, Angel 2 ; Nordstrom, Elaina 1 ; Raley, Christa 1 ; Wagner, Laurie 1 ; Durham, Laura 1 ; Grote, Amanda 1
SB: Valis, Jessica 2 ; Grote, Amanda 1
PO: Lang, Lara 1
