University of Houston
4-2
Toledo
1-4
Softball Wins Home Opener with Walk-Offs
2/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Season Stats | Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score 
HOUSTON â€" Several freshmen had standout performances in the season home opener during day one of the Hilton Houston Plaza Invitational Friday afternoon.
Houston's (5-2) five-run fifth inning during the home opener sealed the Cougars first win at home and a 9-0 run rule over Toledo.
During the Cougar's nightcap, UH picked up the win in walk-off fashion on a sacrifice fly ball by freshman Breelyn Thames.
The Cougars return to the field tomorrow afternoon as they host Ball State at 3:30 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. first pitch rematch vs. Toledo. Houston closes the tournament with a game against No. 24 Texas on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Houston 9, Toledo 0
Cougars loaded the bases to open the second inning when junior Savannah Martin drew a walk to score a run for UH. Senior Katie St. Pierre followed with a two RBI double to left field to put Houston on top, 3-0.
Houston scored another run in the bottom of the third to take a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Coogs had two outs when freshman Brooke Vannoy came to the plate and doubled to left field. Senior Courtney Klingler drove in Vannoy with a single through the left side. Martin followed with another RBI double, making it 6-0.
Freshman starting pitcher Savannah Heebner stepped up to the plate with two outs and runners on second and third. She blasted a three-run shot over the left center wall to end the game, 9-0.
Vannoy went 2-for-2 with a double while teammate Maya Thomas went 3-for-3 including two infield singles.
Heebner (2-0) allowed only two hits in her first shutout win while striking out four.
Houston 4, Iowa State 3
Iowa State opened with back-to-back solo home runs to take a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
Freshman Elise LeBeouf responded for the Cougars with a lead-off solo home run to right. Klingler tied it 2-2 with a solo shot of her own to right field, the eighth of her career.
Two innings later, Iowa State regained the lead, 3-2, off two singles through the gaps.
But it was LeBeouf who came in the clutch again for the Coogs as she pulled another lead-off home run to right field to tie up the game 3-3 and force extra innings.
The teams entered the eighth inning with the international tiebreaker rule. Iowa State advanced the runner to third but Shrum got out of the inning with two putouts and a strikeout.
Thomas, one of the Cougars fastest base runners, was placed on second base and was moved to third on a Klingler bunt single. Thames drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly to right field, ending the game.
Senior LHP Julana Shrum (2-1) pitched her 27th career complete game. She allowed only three earned runs while also striking out three.
Saturday, February 20
10:30 am â€" Ball State v. Texas
1 pm â€" Toledo v. Iowa State
3:30 pm â€" HOUSTON v. BALL STATE
6 pm â€" HOUSTON v. TOLEDO
Sunday, February 21
9 am â€" Iowa State v. Ball State
11:30 am â€" Texas v. Toledo
3:30 pm â€" HOUSTON v. TEXAS
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).
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Fan Experience Headquarters is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2015-16 athletic season. For just $50, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $8 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
JOIN DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GOUH.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Heebner, Savannah (2-0)
L: GOODING, Marla (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Pierre, Katie 1 ; Vannoy, Brooke 1 ; Martin, Savannah 1
HR: Heebner, Savannah 1
RBI: Pierre, Katie 2 ; Thomas, Maya 1 ; Klingler, Courtney 1 ; Martin, Savannah 2 ; Heebner, Savannah 3
SH: Vannoy, Brooke 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Shrum, Julana 1 ; Vannoy, Brooke 2 ; Thomas, Maya 2 ; Klingler, Courtney 2 ; Martin, Savannah 1 ; Heebner, Savannah 1
HBP: Pierre, Katie 1 ; Crumpton, Kaylin 1 ; Klingler, Courtney 1
