University of Houston
Team USA
No. 10 Softball Falls to USA National Team, 10-3
4/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 8, 2008
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston softball team fell to the USA National Team Tuesday night, 10-3, in an exhibition game at Memorial Park. The game was part of a 46-stop tour before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In front of over 2,000 people, Houston took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning behind a home run from junior Elaina Nordstrom.
Lead-off batter junior Jessica Valis reached base on a bunt to begin the game. Nordstrom wouldn't leave Valis standing on base long because with one out she hit a two-run home run to give Houston the early lead.
The Cougars would put one more run on the board in the top of the third inning. Junior Katie Bush hit a short single halfway up the first base line to put herself in scoring position. Nordstrom moved her to second despite being thrown out at first and Bush would go on to score after a single to right field by freshman Jennifer Klinkert.
USA got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Jessica Mendoza reached base on a single to centerfield. With one out, Andrea Duran hit a home run over right center to pull USA within one, 3-2.
The USA National team would go on to score eight more runs to come away with the win.
Every member of the Cougar squad saw action in the game, including Houston's three pitchers who gave up a combined 10 runs on 13 hits.
UH, as a team, registered six hits, three runs and four walks in the game.
Up Next
Houston will be back on their home field April 9 for a double-header against UTSA at 4pm at Cougar Softball Stadium. Fans can follow the game by logging onto www.UHCougars.com and clicking on the schedule link on the softball page.
Following the Wednesday double-header, Houston will host ECU in a three-game conference series on April 12-13. All three games of the series will air on CBS College Sports. Saturday's games are scheduled for 1:30 pm and 4pm. The final game of the series will be at noon on Sunday.
