Cougars Split Run-Rule Decisions to Close Houston Classic

Feb. 19, 2017

Season Stats | Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Softball team split a pair of 12-3 run-rule decisions, falling to rv/rv Ole Miss in five innings and downing Incarnate Word in six innings, on Sunday afternoon at Cougar Softball Stadium to close out of the Houston Classic.

With the results, the Cougars finish the weekend at 5-7 overall, while Ole Miss and UIW move to 7-2 and 3-7, respectfully.

Junior Kaylin Crumpton led Houston at the plate across two games, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double, RBI and two runs scored.

Senior Shelby Miller and freshman Arielle James each homered and accounted for three RBI in 2-for-4 performances against the Cardinals. Both of Miller's hits came via the long ball as she collected her American-Athletic-Conference-leading sixth and seventh home runs of the season. James hit a two-run homer, the first of her career, in the bottom of the sixth to cap the run rule.

Starters Trystan Melancon and Presley Bell each saw their records move to 2-2 on the season. Melancon picked up her second career win scattering seven hits and three runs across four innings pitched against UIW. Bell suffered the loss against Ole Miss, surrendering eight runs (four earned) on five hits across two innings of work.

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Oklahoma (4-0)
Ole Miss (4-1)
Houston (2-3)
Incarnate Word (1-4)
Rhode Island (1-4)

HOUSTON 12, INCARNATE WORD 3 (6)
KEY INNINGS
1st | The Cardinals plated two runs on three hits in the opening frame.

2nd | Crumpton hit a solo shot off the left field foul pole in the bottom of the second to cut UIW's lead in half at 2-1.

3rd | After sophomore Maya Thomas reached on a bunt single, sophomore Savannah Heebner tripled into the right-center gap to tie the game at 2-2. In the next at bat, sophomore Elise LeBeouf homered to left center to give the Cougars a 4-2 lead.

4th | A leadoff walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for the Cardinals in the top of the fourth, before a double play allowed them the push one across and make it a 4-3 ballgame. However, the run proved of little significance as Houston scored five runs on seven hits, including a two-run home run from Miller, in the bottom frame to take a 9-3 advantage.

5th | Miller hit her second dinger of the game with a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth to give Houston a 10-3 lead.

6th | James hit an unconventional walk-off home run with a two-run blast in the bottom of the sixth to cap the run rule at 12-3.

HOUSTON NOTES
â€¢ Houston turned in a season-high 14 hits and 12 runs in its run rule win over Incarnate Word.
â€¢ Four different Cougars accounted for five home runs.

Pitching Breakdown:
Trystan Melancon (W, 2-2) | 4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Savannah Heebner | 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

rv/rv OLE MISS 12, HOUSTON 3 (5)

The Rebels plated 12 runs across the first three innings and limited Houston to one scoring frame in a 12-3, five-inning run rule.

KEY HOUSTON INNINGS
4th | Houston plated three runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth. After a LeBeouf hit by pitch, Crumpton single and Heebner walk loaded the bases, freshman Sarah Queen got the Cougars on the board with a RBI groundout to first base. Sophomore Brooke Vannoy followed with a two-RBI single down the left field line to make it 12-3.

HOUSTON NOTES
Top Offensive Players:
Brooke Vannoy | 1-2, 2 RBI
Kaylin Crumpton | 1-1, R, HBP

Pitching Breakdown:
Presley Bell (L, 2-2) | 2.0 IP, 5 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
Hannah Wolfe | 3.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

ON DECK
After 12 games at home, Houston will play its next six on the road. The Cougars will play five games in California next week, visiting Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, Feb. 23, before facing the likes of No. 16/15 Utah, rv/rv Oregon State, Northwestern and Purdue in the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., across Feb. 24-26.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter @UHCougarSB and "Like" /HoustonCougarSoftball on Facebook. Houston Softball is also on Instagram at UHCougarSB.

SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2016-17 athletic season. For only $80, 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 $5 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. For more information, CLICK HERE.

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