Nordstrom's Home Run Propels No. 14/15 Softball Past No 23/21 Fresno State, 3-0

Sunday, March 9

Fresno, Calif.

5:00 PM

University of Houston

21-3

Fresno State

22-4

Houston

Fresno State

Nordstrom's Home Run Propels No. 14/15 Softball Past No 23/21 Fresno State, 3-0

3/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

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March 9, 2008

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Fresno, Calif. - The University of Houston won the Bingham Toyota Bulldog Classic Sunday after defeating Fresno State 3-0. The Cougars were led by junior Elaina Nordstrom's two-run home run in the third inning.

Houston finished the tournament in a three-way tie with the Bulldogs and DePaul but the tie was broken by runs, Houston held a +18 lead.

No. 14/15 Houston is 21-3 overall this season and 1-0 in the all-time series against the Bulldogs.

The game began as a pitching battle between senior Angel Shamblin and Fresno State pitcher Morgan Melloh. In the first two innings the two had a combined nine strikeouts.

Houston would get their bats going in the third inning. After junior Christa Raley would reach base on a walk, junior Jessica Valis would move her around the bases on a single to the first baseman. With both runners on second and third, Raley scored on a passed ball and Jessica Valis advanced to third. Junior Elaina Nordstrom was next up and with two outs she sent her eighth home run this season sailing over the left field fence to give Houston the 3-0 advantage.

Despite out-hitting the Cougars five to three, Fresno State would be unable to score any runs and the Cougars would get their 11th shutout of the season.

Shamblin moves to 11-1 in the circle this season. She allowed five hits, no runs, no walks and 10 strikeouts. Shamblin was named the MVP of the tournament and Nordstrom joined her on the All-Tournament team.

Houston went 5-1 at the tournament defeating Santa Clara (4-0), Rhode Island (8-1) and Sacrament State (3-1), Fresno State (3-0) and falling to DePaul (3-5).

Up Next
Houston will stay in Fresno, Calif. and play No. 23 Fresno State in a double-header on March 11. First pitch is slated for 5pm.

Following the double-header on Tuesday, the Cougars will begin conference play with a series against Marshall on March 15-16. The road swing will continue through Virginia Tech on March 18 and Ohio State on March 19.