University of Houston
UCF
Houston Rallies to Take Series at UCF
3/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ORLANDO, Fla. -- For the second straight day the University of Houston Softball team rallied in the seventh inning to claim a 5-4 win and take the series, 2-1, at UCF on Sunday afternoon at UCF Softball Complex.
With the win, the Cougars improve to 16-13 overall and 2-1 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Knights fall to 16-15 overall and 1-2 in league action. The series victory, which is the first for Head Coach Kristin Vesely, is also the first for Houston over UCF since 2013 and first in Orlando, Fla., since 2006.
Trailing 4-3 headed to the top of the seventh, junior Mariah Garcia led off with a walk. In the next at bat, freshman Arielle James doubled down the left field line to plate Garcia and tie the game, before an infield error later in the frame allowed Houston to score the game-winning run.
Sophomore Savannah Heebner led the way at the plate going 2-for-3 with two RBI. James also turned in a multi-hit afternoon, going 2-for-4 with a double and RBI, including scoring the go-ahead run. Cougars Kaylin Crumpton, Elise LeBeouf and Shelby Miller all record a single.
Freshman Trystan Melancon improved to 7-5 in the circle. The native of Tomball, Texas, issued just one hit with no walks and seven strikeouts in five innings of relief of starter Presley Bell.
KEY INNINGS
1st | UCF struck first with one run on an RBI groundout in the bottom of the first inning.
2nd | The Knights tacked on another run with a two-out, solo home run to left field in the bottom of the second.
3rd | UCF pushed across two more runs in the bottom of the third.
4th | Houston responded with one run in the top of the fourth. Miller led off with a single to left center, before sophomore Maya Thomas advanced her to second base on a sacrifice bunt. One batter later, Heebner brought Miller home on a single to right center to make it 4-1.
6th | The Cougars plated two runs in the top of the sixth. Crumpton led off with a single, before a walk to redshirt sophomore Sarah Barker put two on with no outs. Two batters later, Heebner plated Crumpton on a single up the middle. A throwing error allowed Houston to push across one more to pull within a run at 4-3.
7th | The Cougars rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh to 5-4 final.
HOUSTON NOTES
• Houston won its first series over UCF since 2013.
• Cougars won their first series at UCF since 2006.
• Head Coach Kristin Velesy picked up her first American Athletic Conference series win.
Top Offensive Players:
Savannah Heebner | 2-3, 2 RBI
Arielle James | 2-4, 2B, RBI, R
Kaylin Crumpton | 1-4, R
Shelby Miller | 1-4, R
Elise LeBeouf | 1-3
Pitching Breakdown:
Presley Bell | 2.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
Trystan Melancon (W, 7-5) | 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
ON DECK
The Cougars will return to the friendly confines of Cougar Softball Stadium to host McNeese in a 5:30 p.m. tilt on Wednesday, March 29.
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.
