University of Houston
Pacific
Baseball Comeback Falls Short Against Pacific, 7-6
3/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 14, 2009
HOUSTON - The University of Houston baseball team put together a valiant comeback effort in the seventh inning but it would fall one run short as the Cougars lost to Pacific 7-6 in the second game of the series at Klein Family Field.
Trailing 7-6 in the top of the ninth inning, Taylor White led off with a single through the left side but David Murphy tried to bunt but was thrown out at first and as White attempted to reach third he was thrown out to give Houston their second out. Codey Morehouse closed out the inning, flying out to second base to cut short Houston's bid to even the series against the Tigers.
Houston pulled within one run in the seventh inning, scoring three runs to trail 6-5. Blake Kelso led off with a single through the right side but was thrown out at second. Zak Presley followed that up with a walk and advanced to second on a single from Chase Dempsay. Caleb Ramsey reached base on a throwing error and advanced to second on a second error by the second baseman. With the error the ball sailed into the Cougar dugout down the third base line and both Dempsay and Presley would score. Houston scored their final run of the inning when Ramsey crossed home on a single through the right side from William Kankel.
With the loss, Houston falls to 3-13 on the season and 0-2 against Pacific this season and 2-3 all-time against the Tigers.
Kelso led off night with a single to third base and Presley reached base on a fielder's choice to open the game. With one out, Presley would score on an RBI single through the right side by Ramsey.
In the bottom of the inning, Pacific loaded the bases with no outs but Frank Corolla struck out the next two batters to pull Houston out of the hole. In Pacific's next at bat, Kurt Wideman hit a two RBI single with the bases still loaded to give the Tigers the 2-0 lead. However, Corolla would strike out the next batter to end the inning.
David Murphy continued the Cougar offense with a single to left field in the second inning, while Codey Morehouse moved him to second on a single through the left side. The moved into scoring position on a wild pitch for Tiger pitcher Cole Akins but were stranded on base when Blake Kelso flied out to left field. UH held the Tigers scoreless in the bottom of the inning, despite a double from Brian Martin.
The Tigers returned the favor in the third inning, by holding the Cougar scoreless while scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning with two outs to extend their lead 5-1.
After being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning, David Murphy scored the Cougars second run on a double down the left field line by John Cannon. Pacific loaded the bases again in the bottom of the fourth with two outs before Chase Dempsay was called to the mound to help the Cougars get out of the inning without allowing a Tiger run.
After an inning of no scoring, Pacific added to their total in the sixth inning with a single run by Mike McKeever who scored on a wild pitch.
Houston ended the game with 14 hits, while the Tigers had 13. UH is 1-4 this season when they outhit their opponent. The Cougar pitchers, Corolla, Dempsay and Donnie Joseph, also combined to strikeout the Tiger batters 10 times.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will close out the series against Pacific at 3 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Following the series the Cougars will return to Houston for a mid-week game at Lamar on March 17 and UH will host Rice in the second game of the Silver Glove Series on March 18. The Cougars will open Conference USA play on March 20-22 against UAB at Cougar Field.
