Softball Shuts Out UTEP 10-0

March 17, 2012

	1	2	3	4	5	6	F	H	E
UTEP (12-19 \| 2-3)	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	1
Houston (14-13 \| 3-2)	0	0	5	0	2	3	10	5	0

Pitching	IP	ER	K	BB	H
Diedre Outon (4-3)	6.0	0	4	2	7

Batting	H	AB	R	RBI
Haley Outon	1 (GS)	2	1	4
Holly Anderson	2 (1 HR)	3	2	3
Melissa Gregson	2 (1 HR)	2	2	3

HOUSTON - The University of Houston Cougar softball team shut out UTEP 10-0 to sweep Saturday's doubleheader at Cougar Softball Stadium. Houston run ruled the Miners in the sixth inning scoring all ten runs off three Cougar home runs.

With the win, Houston improved to 14-13 on the year and 3-2 in Conference USA and have won three straight games.

"Any time you play at home, it's personal and you don't want to give up wins on your own field," said head coach Kyla Holas. "And with this series, it's always heated between us and UTEP so I'm glad we showed up ready to play today."

Houston played nearly perfect softball on the afternoon as they committed no errors and outscored the opposition 15-2.

"We've told the team all year long that if you can come out and cover all three aspects of the games (pitching, hitting and defense) that good things will follow. I'm glad we responded today."

Catcher Haley Outon connected on her first career grand slam and eighth home run of the year in the third inning to stretch the Cougars lead to 5-0. Outon went deep for her third straight game and has posted 10 RBIs during the span.

UTEP walked the bases loaded and gave Houston a free run as Melissa Gregson took a base on balls to score Reina Gaber from third to make it 1-0 before Outon came up to bat.

It was Gregson's turn at the launching pad the next time the senior came around to bat and she lined an 0-2 pitch off the palm trees in left field for a two-run homer, her second of the year, to make the score 7-0.

Holly Anderson hit the clinching homer in the sixth inning as Kendra Cullum took a hit by pitch and Ashleigh Jones reached base on a single. Anderson, who went 4-for-6 in her new spot in the order (second) on the afternoon, hit her sixth home run of the season.

Houston was outhit 7-5 on the afternoon but starting pitcher Diedre Outon seemed control of the game the entire day. Outon earned her fourth win of the year (4-3) with seven hits allowed and four strikeouts.

UTEP opened the game with three singles and threatened to have a big inning until a play at the plate involving Haley Outon with a big throw from Jones negated the Miners scoring chance. Outon received the ball from Jones on a hop, turned and braced for the impact and held onto the ball after the collision for the second out of the inning.

Outon would cruise over the next five innings as the sophomore was the benefactor of another great play from her defense. With runners on second and third with only one out, Cullum fired the ball from her shortstop position to Haley Outon as the catcher tagged another runner out at the plate.

After the game, the softball program joined the Houston Softball season ticket holder inside the Alumni/Athletic Center for a reception.

"This is our third year putting together this event and it's a lot of fun for everyone involved. It's our way of saying thanks to our loyal fan base. I'm glad that we can do events like this because it helps separate us from other schools and it's rewarding to our season ticket holders."

UP NEXT
Houston and UTEP close out their series tomorrow at noon.

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ORANGER Kayla

WARE Courtney

Diedre Outon

EASTMAN Kelli

Players Mentioned

Holly Anderson

Kendra Cullum

Reina Gaber

Melissa Gregson

Ashleigh Jones

Diedre Outon

Haley Outon

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