University of Houston
14-13, 0-1
UCF
16-13, 1-0
Cougars Fall at UCF, 5-3
3/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The University of Houston Softball team fell 5-3 to UCF in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at UCF Softball Complex.
With the decision, the Cougars fall to 14-13 overall and 0-1 in The American, while the Knights improve to 16-13 and 1-0 in conference.
Teammates Sarah Barker and Mariah Garcia each turned in multi-hit afternoons. Barker led Houston with a 3-for-4 effort with one run scored, while Garcia finished 2-for-3. Sophomore Maya Thomas finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and her first career double.
Bell was saddled with the loss to fall to 2-3 on the season. The native of Liberty, Texas, yielded two runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts in five innings of relief. Freshman Trystan Melancon issued three runs on four hits with one walk in one inning of work.
KEY INNINGS
1st | Houston jumped on the board early, plating two runs on three two-out hits in the opening frame. With two down, Barker and senior Shelby Miller each singled, before advancing to second and third base on a wild pitch, respectfully. Thomas brought the pair home in the next at bat on a double to left field to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom frame, UCF capitalized on four hits to plate three runs and take a 3-2 edge.
2nd | Houston got one run back in the top of the second. Sophomore Savannah Heebner (walk), sophomore Brooke Vannoy (fielder's choice) and Garcia (single) all reached to load the bases, setting up for a sacrifice fly from freshman Arielle James one batter later.
3rd | The Knights tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third for the 5-3 final.
HOUSTON NOTES
Top Offensive Players:
Sarah Barker | 3-4, R
Mariah Garcia | 2-3
Maya Thomas | 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Savannah Heebner | 1-2, R, BB
Shelby Miller | 1-3, R, BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Trystan Melancon | 1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Presley Bell (L, 2-3) | 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 B, 3 K
ON DECK
The Cougars will continue their series at UCF in a 1 p.m. CT first pitch on Saturday.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: WHITE, A. (9-8)
L: Bell, Presley (2-3)
Batting:
2B: Thomas, Maya 1
RBI: James, Arielle 1 ; Thomas, Maya 2
SH: Crumpton, Kaylin 1
SF: James, Arielle 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Barker, Sarah 1 ; Miller, Shelby 1 ; Heebner, Savannah 1
CS: Garcia, Mariah 1
Batting:
2B: ROTTON, C. 1 ; GLOVER, T. 1
RBI: BREWER, C. 1 ; GLOVER, T. 1 ; JOHNSON, A. 3
SH: JOHNSON, A. 1
SF: BREWER, C. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: GOODMAN, L. 1 ; ROTTON, C. 1 ; BREWER, C. 1 ; GLOVER, T. 1 ; KLARKOWSKI 1
