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University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Drop First Game 5-2 to Marshall
3/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 10, 2012
Box Score | PDF | Season Stats
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | F | H | E | |
| Houston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Marshall | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | X | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Pitching | IP | ER | K | BB | H |
| Diedre Outon (3-3) | 4.1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Batting | H | AB | R | RBI |
| Melissa Gregson | 1 (HR) | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Reina Gaber | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - The University of Houston dropped their Conference USA opening game to Marshall 5-2 Saturday afternoon at Dot Hicks Field.
Houston took the initial lead as Reina Gaber hit a looping shot over the Marshall shortstops head that caromed off the glove and she reached second on the double. Reaching third on a passed ball, Gaber scored off Jaime Edwards ground out to give Houston the initial 1-0 lead.
Summer Groholski made the start but lasted only 1.2 innings before the Cougars turned to Diedre Outon in the second inning. With runners in scoring position and Marshall already pushing two runs past home, Outon struck out the batter for the third out of the inning.
Melissa Gregson hit her first home run of the year off the first pitch of the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2.
Gregson was heavily involved in the home run production the next inning as the senior reached over the fence and took away what would have been a two-run homer. Another long ball hazarded into home run territory but this time Gregson wasn't able to save the Cougars runs as the ball bounced out of her glove and over the fence for a two-run homer as Marshall took a 5-2 lead.
Houston had a chance to close the gap the next inning as Diedre Outon and Ashleigh Jones were at second and third as Reina Gaber stepped up to the plate. Gaber was Houston's top hitter with two outs, as the junior had a .520 batting average in the situation, but drove the ball sharply to the Marshall left fielder to close out the inning.
The loss marked the first time the Cougars have fallen to Marshall since 2009, a streak of eight games.
