University of Houston
15-13, 1-1
UCF
16-14, 1-1
Cougar Rally Past UCF, 11-5
3/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The University of Houston Softball team plated eight runs in the top of the seventh inning to complete the comeback in an 11-5 victory at UCF on Saturday afternoon at UCF Softball Complex.
With the win, the Cougars improve to 15-13 overall and 1-1 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Knights fall to 16-14 overall and 1-1 in league action. The victory, which is Head Coach Kristin Vesely's first in The American, is also the first for Houston at UCF since 2008, while the 11 runs is the most the Cougars have scored against the Knights in the series history.
Trailing 5-3 headed to the top of the seventh, teammates Arielle James (single), Kaylin Crumpton (hit by pitch) and Sarah Barker (single) all reached to load the bases. Senior Shelby Miller pulled Houston within one run on a fielder's choice in the next at bat where James was safe at the plate. Sophomore Maya Thomas then put the Cougars on top with a bases-clearing double for a 7-5 advantage. Sophomore Savannah Heebner followed with a single up the middle to plate Thomas, and junior Mariah Garcia belted a two-run home run one batter later. The Cougars later plated one more run on an infield error to cap the eight-run frame.
James tied her career-high with three hits, going 3-for-4 with three singles and two runs scored. Thomas finished 2-for-3 with a double, career-high three RBI, one run scored and a walk. Doubling second time in as many days, Thomas was also one of three Houston players to hit a two-bagger, joined by Miller and Crumpton. In total, nine Cougars recorded at least one hit in tying their season high with 14 runs scored.
Heebner improved to 7-4 in the circle in a complete-game effort. The native of Sedalia, Colo., worked around 15 hits and five runs with two walks and six strikeouts to pull the series even at 1-1.
KEY INNINGS
1st | UCF struck first with five runs in the bottom of the first inning.
2nd | A pair of hits got Houston on the board in the top of the second. Miller picked up her third double of the season on a two-bagger through the right side of the infield, before advancing to third on a groundout. One batter later, sophomore Brooke Vannoy plated Miller on an infield single to make it 5-1.
5th | A three-hit frame brought the Cougars within two runs at 5-3. Vannoy led things off with a bunt single, before advancing to second two batters later on a two-out single to right center from James. In the next at bat, the pair came home on a double to left center from Crumpton, her fifth of the season.
7th | Houston rallied for eight runs on six hits in the top of the seventh to claim the 11-5 final.
HOUSTON NOTES
• Houston tied its season high with 14 hits.
• Cougars picked up their first win at UCF since 2008.
• Houston's 11 runs are the most scored in series history with UCF.
Top Offensive Players:
Arielle James | 3-4, 2 R
Maya Thomas | 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI, R
Brooke Vannoy | 2-3, RBI, R
Shelby Miller | 2-4, 2B, 2 R
Mariah Garcia | 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
Kaylin Crumpton | 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R, HBP
Savannah Heebner | 1-4, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Savannah Heebner (W, 7-4) | 7.0 IP, CG, 15 H, 5 R, 2 B, 6 K
ON DECK
The Cougars will go for the series win in the rubber game on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT.
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: Heebner, Savannah (7-4)
L: WHITE, A. (9-9)
Batting:
2B: Crumpton, Kaylin 1 ; Miller, Shelby 1 ; Thomas, Maya 1
HR: Garcia, Mariah 1
RBI: Crumpton, Kaylin 2 ; Thomas, Maya 3 ; Heebner, Savannah 1 ; Vannoy, Brooke 1 ; Garcia, Mariah 2
Base Running:
RUNS: James, Arielle 2 ; Montgomery, Kelli 1 ; Crumpton, Kaylin 1 ; Barker, Sarah 1 ; Miller, Shelby 2 ; Thomas, Maya 1 ; Vannoy, Brooke 1 ; LeBeouf, Elise 1 ; Garcia, Mariah 1
HBP: Crumpton, Kaylin 1
Batting:
2B: KLARKOWSKI 1
RBI: JOHNSON, A. 1 ; KLARKOWSKI 3 ; SOLIS, B. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: GREENWELL, M 1 ; BREWER, C. 1 ; JOHNSON, A. 1 ; KALINEN, W. 1 ; KLARKOWSKI 1
SB: GREENWELL, M 2 ; ROTTON, C. 1 ; KLARKOWSKI 1
