Softball Splits Doubleheader Against East Carolina Saturday

April 24, 2010

HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team split Saturday's doubleheader against East Carolina, dropping the first game, 1-0, and winning game two, 4-3, at Cougar Softball Stadium. The Cougars improve to 24-22 (9-10 Conference USA) on the season while the Pirates stand with a 31-15 (10-4 C-USA) record.

GAME ONE

ECU 1, Houston 0

The lone run of the game came in the first inning when leadoff batter Mari Gusman-Brown reached first after hitting a shot that bounced off shortstop Brooke Lathan's glove. She then proceeded to steal second and advanced to third on a fielding error by Ashleigh Jones. Christina Merrida batted her home with a single up the middle.

East Carolina threatened in the following frame with bases loaded on one out. However, Bailey Watts pulled through to retire the next two batters, fanning the first player.

Houston had an impressive defensive fifth inning. Holly Anderson made diving stop at third and threw Sissy Jimenez out at first. After walking the next batter, Watts blocked a shot up the middle, which allowed her to throw Kaui Tom out at first as well.

Angela Spittler salvaged the first half of the sixth inning. With two bases runners in potential scoring position, Merrida belted a hit to right-center field. Spittler came out of nowhere with a diving catch to end the inning and the threat.

Watts (11-9) received the loss despite throwing one strikeout shy of her career record of 11. The Spring Branch, Texas native allowed four hits and one unearned run over seven innings of work. Houston's three hits came from Jones, Melissa Gregson and Katy Beth Sherman.

GAME TWO

Houston 4, ECU 3

After a scoreless first inning, Houston continued a strong defensive showing with a double play. Sissy Jimenez singled to right field but was thrown out at first when Vanessa Moreno lined out to first baseman Jennifer Klinkert. However, Kaui Tom broke the stalemate on the next at bat with a solo bomb to left-center field.

Angela Spittler answered back with a home run of her own, hitting a long ball to right-center field to knot the game 1-1. In the following inning, Ashleigh Jones hit her third triple of the season to get in scoring position. Melissa Gregson sent her home with another round tripper - her eighth of the season.

The Pirates pulled ahead in the fourth frame with another home run courtesy of Moreno.

Jones blasted her second triple of the game, setting a new single-game Houston record. Gregson then batted her in with single down the right side, putting the Cougars up 4-2.

East Carolina recorded another run with a Jimenez solo home run in the sixth inning but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

Amanda Crabtree evened her record to 10-10 after striking out five batters and walking only two over seven innings of work.

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