Softball Sweeps USF to Open Conference Play

Sunday, March 22

Cougar Softball Stadium

11:00 AM

University of Houston

15-16, 0

USF

28-9, 0

USF

Houston

3/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

March 22, 2015

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

HOUSTON - Houston Softball picked up its first two wins in American Athletic Conference play with a two-game sweep over USF Sunday afternoon.

The Cougars held on for the win in game one, 4-2, and took game two with a 2-1 victory. The games were originally scheduled for Saturday (March 21), but were moved due to inclement weather in the Houston area.

With the two wins, the Cougars improved to 16-16 on the year and open up to 2-0 in The American for the second season. USF falls to 28-10 on the season, 0-2 in conference play. The two wins marked the first win over the Bulls since 2005 when both teams were in Conference USA and the first time since 2002 to win the series over USF.

HOUSTON 4, USF 2 - BOX SCORE
After four shutout innings on both sides, the Cougars got the bats going in the bottom of the fifth when senior Kris Davila singled to right field and advanced to second on a sac bunt by fellow senior Sydney Gerbracht. Davila moved to scoring position on a ground out by Katie St. Pierre and was brought home on a USF wild pitch.

With runners on first and second and two outs, sophomore Shelby Miller knocked an RBI base hit to push the Cougars up 2-0. One batter later, Courtney Klingler plated two runs on a double to right field.

USF made a last ditch effort, scoring two runs off three hits in the top of the seventh, but it wasn't enough as the Cougar defense held the Bulls.

Julana Shrum (5-8) took the win for the Cougars as she pitched a complete game allowing only two runs off five hits, three walks and struck out two.

HOUSTON 2, USF 1 - BOX SCORE
In game two of the series, Houston opened up the game with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. St. Pierre led off with a walk and was bunted over by senior Kayla Holland. Selena Hernandez singled through the left side to bring Holland home.

The Cougars rallied again in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Gerbracht singled up the middle and advanced to second on a Tiffani McKnight base hit. St. Pierre followed with an RBI single to shallow RF, scoring Gerbracht.

USF plated a run in the top half of the third, but the rest of the game was scoreless for both sides.

Freshman Kayla Maxwell (3-2) picked up the win for the Cougars as she pitched 6.1 innings allowing only one run off five hits and four walks. Shrum came in relief for Maxwell to pick up her second save of the year. In 0.2 innings pitched, she gave up only one walk.

UP NEXT
Houston Softball returns to Cougar Softball Stadium for a midweek doubleheader against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Wednesday. The Cougars will enjoy a bye week the following weekend.

BUY SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets online by visiting UHCougars.com/SBtickets and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

To purchase tickets in person, fans can visit the Athletics Ticket Office located on the northeast corner of TDECU Stadium, just outside of Gate 1 off Cullen Boulevard. Parking is available in the TDECU Stadium parking garage with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular-season softball home games with a valid student ID.

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Fans can purchase general admission single-game tickets beginning as low as $5 for youth and $8 for adults through UHCougars.com or by contacting the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).

While single-game tickets are available, fans are encouraged to save and purchase 2015 season tickets. General admission season tickets are just $75 for 28 home games ($2.68 per ticket). Fans can also purchase season tickets online by clicking here or calling the ticket office 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).

STAY CONNECTED
For all the behind-the-scenes action, follow Houston Softball on Twitter @UHCougarSB and "Like" /HoustonCougarSoftball on Facebook. Houston Softball is now on Instagram (@uhcougarsb).