University of Houston
Texas Southern
Houston Softball Splits Saturday
3/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Season Stats | Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score 
HOUSTON â€" Houston Softball split day one of the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic earning a 9-6 win over Texas Southern after dropping to Incarnate Word, 4-3.
The Cougars are now 9-9 on the season and return to Cougar Softball Stadium tomorrow to close the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic with a game against Texas Southern. First pitch is set for noon.
INCARNATE WORD 4, HOUSTON 3
Houston opened game one of the day scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman Brooke Vannoy started the inning with a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on a bunt single by fellow freshman Maya Thomas. A double steal scored Vannoy and moved Thomas into scoring position. Senior Courtney Klingler followed with a sacrifice fly into center to put the Cougars up 2-0.
A solo home run by Incarnate Word's Shelbi Swenson made it 2-1 in the top of the fifth.
The Cougars held on to a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh inning until Incarnate Word added three runs off two hits.
Houston plated another run late in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough as UIW claimed the win, 4-3.
Starting pitcher Presley Bell pitched 5.0 innings, allowed only one run and struck out four. Savannah Heebner (2-5) earned the loss for the Cougars as she pitched 2.0 innings and allowed the final three runs for the Cardinals. She also struck out three in her appearance.
HOUSTON 9, TEXAS SOUTHERN 6
Houston's bats rebounded in game two as the Cougars scored in five of the six innings.
The Cougars started hot with a two-run first inning. An RBI single by freshman Elise LeBeouf plated Katie St. Pierre for UH's first run of the game. Then Thomas drew a bases loaded walk to put Houston up 2-0.
Texas Southern tied the game 2-2 in the next half inning off two hits, but Houston regained the lead in the bottom half of the second as LeBeouf blasted a three-run homer to dead center.
Houston made it 7-2 during the bottom of the third. Thomas took advantage of an error by the Tiger's catcher to score the first run of the inning. Starting pitcher Shelby Miller batted in Vannoy from second on a single up the middle.
The Tigers made things interesting when they scored four runs off five hits and two errors in back-to-back innings, cutting the Cougars lead to one.
The Cougars added two more runs to seal the win off three hits in the fifth and sixth innings. Vannoy hit a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the sixth, marking her first collegiate home run.
Starting pitcher Shelby Miller (2-0) earned the win for the Cougars as she pitched 5.0 innings, allowed five earned runs and struck out four. Heebner came in relief for Miller to pick up her first collegiate save. She threw two shutout innings, allowed only two hits and struck out a batter.
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.
