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University of Houston
20-10
No. 20, 19 Georgia Tech
26-5
No. 18 Georgia Tech Edges Softball
3/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 14, 2007
ATLANTA, Ga. - No. 18 Georgia Tech used a two-run sixth inning to slip past the University of Houston softball team 2-1 Wednesday afternoon at Glenn Field.
Houston (20-10) has had nine of its 10 losses this season come at the hands of Top 25 opponents. Five of the nine losses have been by one run.
"I told the team after the game that we need to be a lot stronger mentally in those situations," head coach Kyla Holas said. "There is nothing physically wrong with us. The difference is that a team like Georgia Tech has been there before and expects to win in those situations. We know we're at that level, but we need to develop that big dog mentality."
The Yellow Jackets (26-5) strung together three hits in the sixth inning off Houston ace Angel Shamblin. Blair Shimandle opened the frame with a single that just got over shortstop Jessica Valis' head. Pinch-hitter Daisy Paez ripped a double off the centerfield fence to put runners on second and third base.
With one out and a 1-1 count, Aileen Morales platted both runs, knocking a double to left centerfield gap to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.
After allowing a leadoff bunt single in the first inning, Shamblin (12-5) settled down to retire 15 consecutive batters, including five strikeouts during the stretch.
"Angel did a superb job of holding an offensive team like that down for five innings," Holas said. "The only thing she needs to do is to take advantage of the zone given to her. She left a couple of pitches over the plate and they capitalized."
Haley Valis put the Cougars ahead 1-0 in the third inning with a solo shot to right field. The Shiner native extended her hitting streak to a career-best five games.
"Haley's at-bats have continually got better," Holas said. "She's starting to move her way up the lineup. Haley and Christa (Raley) have done a great job of working together in the middle of the lineup."
Houston faces off against another 2006 NCAA Tournament participant Thursday evening at Auburn. First pitch against the Tigers is scheduled for 6pm.
Cougar Notes
This afternoon was the first meeting between Houston and Georgia Tech on the softball diamond ... It's the first time that the Cougars have played an ACC opponent since taking on North Carolina during the 2005 season ... Houston drops to 14-5 in day games and are 0-3 on Wednesday this season ... The Cougars also are 5-5 when wearing red jerseys and gray pants this season ... Jessica Valis and Elaina Nordstrom have started in all 92 games of their careers ... Durham also has played in all 92 games of her Houston career since transferring from Texas A&M ... Katie Bush has made 89 consecutive starts in centerfield ... Elaina Nordstrom had her season-best five-game hitting streak come to a close ... Haley Valis has registered a hit in a career-best five games ... The Shiner native has produced a RBI in three of her last four outings ... Christa Raley has reached base in 16 of her last 18 games ... With six strikeouts, Angel Shamblin moves to 19 Ks from matching Jamie Falco (2001-04) for the No. 2 spot in program history.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Whitney Humphreys (11-2)
L: Shamblin, Angel (12-5)
Batting:
HR: Valis, Haley 1
RBI: Valis, Haley 1
SH: Valis, Haley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Valis, Haley 1
HBP: Raley, Christa 1
Batting:
2B: Aileen Morales 1 ; Daisy Paez 1
RBI: Aileen Morales 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Blair Shimandle 1 ; Stephanie Butler 1
CS: Aileen Morales 1
