Softball Claims Both Games in North Dakota State Doubleheader

March 16, 2010

HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team went 2-0 in the North Dakota State doubleheader to extend the Cougars' winning streak to eight games on Tuesday at Cougar Softball Stadium. Houston improves to a 15-9 record as the Bison drop to 14-11 on the season.

Game One

Houston 4, North Dakota State 3 (9)

Mary Tyler Dobson recorded Houston's first hit with a double to left center. With a pair of walks on two outs by Jennifer Klinkert and Angela Spittler, the Cougars loaded the bases. Reina Gaber belted a two-run single down the middle to put Houston on the board.

The Bison answered back in the second inning with two runs off two hits. Brea Konz belted a leadoff home run to left field, and Maryssa McKenzie drew a walk and scored on Laurel Pipkin's fielder's choice.

Houston had the chance to pull ahead in the fourth frame with two singles up the middle by Katy Beth Sherman and Ashleigh Jones. Sherman advanced to second on a wild pitch and then to third on Jones' hit. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Dobson grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.

In the fifth, Melissa Gregson blasted a home run to the left field but due to a lineup card error she was called out. In the following frame, the Bison took advantage of the mishap and answered back with a home run of their own courtesy of Richel Briones.

Brooke Lathan settled unfinished business in the seventh inning with a leadoff home run to center field, knotting the game 3-3. The Cougars could not stay alive long enough to tally another run, which forced the game into extra innings.

After reaching on a walk, Sherman advanced to second on Lathan's sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning. Jones hit a walk-off single to center field, driving Sherman home.

Bailey Watts received the win, improving to an 8-3 record with a 2.50 ERA. The freshman pitcher threw seven strikeouts and allowed only three runs on four hits over a career-high nine innings of work.

Game Two

Houston 6, North Dakota State 3

After Ashleigh Jones singled to right center, Melissa Gregson hit a two-run bomb to center field to put Houston up 2-0 in the first inning. Holly Anderson followed in the second inning with her second career home run, a one-run round tripper over the left center field, to put Houston up 3-0.

North Dakota State tied the game in the fifth inning with three runs off three hits and one error. Nicole Rivera reached on an error by shortstop Brooke Lathan and then scored on a deep single by Elisa Victa. Amanda Crabtree came in to relieve Baillie Lott but walked the next two batters, which loaded the bases. Victa took advantage of a passed ball and scored the Bison's second run. Becca Gift belted a single to center field, sending Melissa Chmielewki to home plate for the final run of the inning.

Houston had the opportunity to pull ahead in the bottom of the frame when Lathan drove a double down the left line and advanced to third when Jones grounded out to the pitcher. Lathan's chance was cut short when Mary Tyler Dobson flied out to left field to end the inning.

Crabtree struck out the side in the sixth inning. Houston earned a three-run led in the bottom of the frame. Gregson hit her second bomb of the game to center field. The last time a Cougar hit two home runs in the same game was Laurie Wagner in an 8-3 home win against Baylor on April 16, 2008. Angela Spittler hit the fourth round tripper of the game - the second of her career - to put the Cougars up 6-3. Anderson would have added to the growing list of home runs hit in the inning but left fielder Victa snared the ball above the fence.

UP NEXT

The Cougars hit the road for their first Conference USA away series when they travel to Orlando, Fla., to take on the UCF Knights on March 20-21.

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