University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Defeat Southern Miss, 13-2, Behind Raley Grand Slam
3/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Houston vs. Southern Miss Game One in PDF Format 
March 21, 2008
Houston 13 vs. Southern Miss 2
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston softball team defeated Southern Miss 13-2 after junior Christa Raley hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning during the first game of the three-game series at Cougar Softball Stadium.
In the bottom of the sixth, after Klinkert reached base on a walk, Wagner was hit by pitch and Shamblin reached first on a fielding error to load the bases. With only one out, Raley hit her first walk-off grand slam of the season to give the Cougars a 13-2 win over the Golden Eagles. It was the third grand slam this season.
No. 11 Houston moves to 26-4 this season and 4-0 in Conference USA. The Cougars are now 19-11 all-time against Southern Miss.
Houston scored three runs in the first inning behind doubles from freshman Jennifer Klinkert and senior Angel Shamblin. Junior Jessica Valis started things off reaching base on a walk and junior Katie Bush followed that up with a bunt to put two runners in scoring position. Klinkert scored the two runners with her double down the left field line. Junior Laurie Wagner would give the Cougars the 3-0 advantage when she reached base on a fielder's choice and scored on Shamblin's double.
The Cougars continued to extend their lead in the second. Raley put herself in scoring position after a double to left center. Jessica Valis hit Raley in with a single and advanced to second on the thrown ball. With one out, Nordstrom singled to centerfield knocking Jessica Valis in to give the Cougars a 5-0 lead.
The Golden Eagles fought hard in the fourth when Kristin Pilgrim singled to right field and with one out Jennifer Fox hit a homerun to give Southern Miss two runs in the game.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Cougars continued their hitting streak. With two outs, Wagner singled down the left line advancing Klinkert to second after she reached base on a walk. Senior Amanda Grote doubled to right field scoring Klinkert and Wagner.
The Cougars would score one run in the fifth after Haley Valis singled and advanced to second on a SAC bunt from Raley. Bush singled to knock junior Haley Valis in for the 8-0 lead.
Shamblin moves to 15-2 in the circle this season. Shamblin ended the game giving up only two hits, two runs and striking out four.
Houston will play the second game of the double-header at 3 p.m. and they will wrap up the series Saturday at 1 p.m.
