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Cougars Fall 8-0 Against Team USA
10/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Photo Gallery | Box Score
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team fell 8-0 against Team USA Tuesday night at Cougar Softball Stadium.
The national team demonstrated their power in the first inning with a two-out grand slam and added a two-run blast in the fifth inning to provide the bulk of their scoring effort.
Houston starting pitcher Diedre Outon rebounded from the early blast and managed to pitch three more innings without allowing an unearned run. The defense delivered some sound help throughout the night as they turned two double plays as they were peppered against the hard-hitting national team. Freshman Kayla Holland made a diving catch in the first inning with the bases loaded and recovered quick enough to not allow the runner to make a play at home.
In the fifth inning, the Cougars committed an error to put two runners on the base paths but recovered by turning a double play two batters later. Anderson fired the ball to second for a force out and Jennifer Klinkert relayed the ball to home for a tag to save a run.
p>Freshman Ty'ara Law made her first appearance at the home confines and suffered a two-run homer at the hands of a loaded national team roster. Law rebounded and got the next three batters.
Holly Anderson led the team with 10 putouts and was part of both double plays the Cougars turned on the evening.
"Those double plays saved us and Holly (Anderson) did a great job being a leader out there," said head coach Kyla Holas. "And Kayla came up with a great catch in the first inning. I was really pleased with the defense, we spent a lot of time practicing that during the week and it really paid off."
The Houston offense put two runners on base in the first and third three innings but came up empty. Jennifer Klinkert drew a two-out walk and Haley Outon followed her with a single in the first. Ashleigh Jones hustled out an infield single and went to second on Anderson's single to left during the third. Reina Gabber added a double in the fifth to conclude the Houston hitting against a national team that is preparing for Pan American Games October 17-23 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Over 1,250 fans were in attendance for the game and many spilled into the infield for an autograph session with both teams after the game.
"I was really excited the crowd came out and we were able to offer such a great environment for the city of Houston. I'm excited that we have the rest of the fall to continue working with them. We're going to be a better squad and provide a great atmosphere next spring."
UP NEXT
The Cougars conclude their fall exhibition season this weekend at the Sugar Land College Classic Oct 15-16.
The Houston coaching staff will continue with the fall clinic schedule offering training on pitching and hitting techniques Oct. 23, Nov. 6, Nov 20, Dec. 4. Visit CougarSoftballCamp.com or UHCougars.com for more information.
