No. 23 Cougars Split Doubleheader at Sam Houston State

Feb. 24, 2011

HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team picked up its ninth win of the season in the nightcap after snapping its eight-game win streak in the first game of a doubleheader at Sam Houston State Wednesday evening.

The day after breaking into all three of the Division I Top 25 polls, No. 23 Houston (9-2) dropped a close 2-0 decision in the first game of the doubleheader. The Cougars quickly rebounded for a 6-1 victory in the nightcap of the team's first road trip of the season.

"It was one of those things. I never like losing, but I'm glad we got it out of the way so we can get over that fear of `what happens if we lose,'" head coach Kyla Holas said. "We know that playing not to lose just because of a number is not the way we play. It was good to see our team come back and play like us in the second game."

Game One: Sam Houston State 2, Houston 0
Senior right-hander Donna Bourgeois (3-2) allowed just two hits and no earned runs in the Cougars' first loss since the season opener. An error and an illegal pitch were the root of the Bearkats' two-run sixth inning that eventually cost the Cougars the game.

Bourgeois had allowed just one hit while an error accounted for the other Bearkat base runner four innings into the game. An up the middle single led off the SHSU fifth, but freshman catcher Haley Outon cut off Shelbi Tucker's attempt to steal to highlight another scoreless inning.

In the meantime, the Cougars were unable to get much going at the plate. A quick top of the sixth led into the Bearkats' half of the inning, the only one of which either team would score.

With one gone in the sixth, Bourgeois surrendered a walk before an error put a second runner on base. An illegal pitch scored the first and a sacrifice fly accounted for the second run of the inning.

Although sophomore shortstop Brooke Lathan singled to right to leadoff the seventh, the Cougars went down in order to finish the game with the 2-0 loss.

Game Two: Houston 6, Sam Houston State 1
The reigning USA Softball Player of the Week Reina Gaber set the pace for the Cougars with her two RBI performance in game two. Her teammates followed suit, warming up the bats in game two for eight hits including home runs from senior designated player Baillie Lott (4) and junior left fielder Melissa Gregson (3).

In the circle, senior right-handed pitcher Amanda Crabtree (5-0) allowed a single unearned run in her one-hit, complete game effort. She struck out 12 while dropping her ERA to a mere 0.41 on the season.

With a run on the board, Gregson added to it with a one-out bomb to left. Courtney Schoenemann (1-4) held off the Cougars until the nationally ranked visitors broke the game open with a four-spot in the top of the seventh. Lott's fourth home run of the year sparked a two-out rally that featured another of Gaber's successful pinch-hit situations. Her two-run single complete the scoring rally and handed UH the 6-1 victory.

UP NEXT
No. 23 Houston will stay on the road this weekend, this time traveling to Waco for the QTI Powers Invitational hosted by Baylor. Houston will once again face off against SHSU as well as Central Arkansas, Louisiana-Monroe and tournament host, Baylor.

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