University of Houston
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UTEP
Softball Drops Third Game of C-USA Series Against UTEP
3/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 22, 2009
EL PASO, Texas--The University of Houston softball team lost the third game of the Conference USA series against UTEP, 9-6, at Helen of Troy Field on Sunday to finish the series 1-2. Houston moves to 13-14 overall and 4-4 in C-USA.
Houston put the first run of the game on the board early in the top of the first inning when senior Christa Raley hit a double to drive in senior Jessica Valis, who walked for a 1-0 lead.
The Miners tied the score at one in the bottom of the second inning.
In the top of the third, Nordstrom hit a single up the middle to knock in senior Katie Bush, who also hit a single. The Cougars loaded the bases on two outs in the top of the third and pitcher Stacie Townsend walked freshman Melissa Gregson to give Houston 3-1 lead. The bases would remain loaded when sophomore designated player Baillie Lott stuck out to end the inning.
UTEP added one more run to cut the deficit to one after Chelsea Troupe scored on a squeeze bunt by Becky Smith.
Nordstrom hit a solo home run, for her fourth this season, off the first pitch in the top of the fifth inning to add another run for the Cougars. Houston would end the inning with a 5-2 advantage over UTEP when Haley Valis scored on a single by Gregson.
The Miners took a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when they scored five runs on four hits, including a walk by Crabtree when bases were loaded.
Lott came in to pitch for Crabtree in the bottom of the sixth inning and UTEP continued to add runs. Smith hit a two-run homer on one out. Courtney Ware would then hit a hard line drive, but Haley made a diving stop to throw the runner out at first. The inning would end when Jennifer Staler hit a single and was out after making an illegal advance to second base.
Houston came out strong in the top of the seventh inning trying to take the lead. Bush, Nordstrom and Raley hit three-consecutive singles to add one run. The runs would not be enough and the inning would end on a ground out to second base by Gregson.
Crabtree had 10 strikeouts, allowing seven runs on seven hits, while Lott struck out one and allowed two runs on three hits.
Houston had a combined 10 hits with Nordstrom going 3-for-4 with a home run. Bush and Raley each went 2-for-4, with Raley hitting a double.
UH will host No. 13 Missouri Tuesday at Cougar Softball Stadium at 5 p.m., and a second game on Wednesday beginning at 3 p.m.
