Softball Sweeps Southern Miss in Conference USA Opener

March 14, 2010

HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team swept Southern Miss in the final game of the Cougars' Conference USA opening series defeating the Golden Eagles 5-0. Houston improves to 13-9 (3-0) as Southern Miss drops to 12-9 (0-3) on the season.

Houston began with a strong defensive showing. First baseman Jennifer Klinkert reached across the home dugout fence to catch a fly ball, and Katy Beth Sherman followed with an impressive grab over the left field fence, robbing Britney Dinelt of a home run.

After Mary Tyler Dobson reached on a fielder's choice and Melissa Gregson singled down the left line in the first inning, Klinkert hit a three-run round tripper to center field to put Houston on the board. This was the sophomore's fourth home run of the season and 19th of her career. A pair of singles put Angela Spittler and Reina Gaber on base at second and first.

Gabby Luciani came into relieve Courtney Ramos which would result in Houston loading the bases after Holly Anderson was hit by a pitch on the next at bat. During the following at bat, Spittler scored on an unusual circumstance. On a Sherman full count, the umpire called a deceiving fourth ball but was read as a strike. When the left fielder returned to the dugout, she was called out for leaving the field of play. The walk would advance the loaded bases resulting in another run for Houston.

Brooke Lathan reached on a fielder's choice as Anderson was thrown out at third but not before Gaber scored the fifth and final run of the game.

Amanda Crabtree (4-4) receives the win with the two-hitter shutout. The junior pitcher retired eight of the first 10 batters and fanned eight at the plate in seven innings of work.

UP NEXT

The Cougars host a doubleheader against North Dakota State on March 16 with the first pitch scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m. Houston then hits the road for its second Conference USA series against UCF March 20-21.

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