University of Houston
23-21
McNeese
33-16
Houston Falls 5-4 at McNeese in Extras
4/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
LAKE CHARLES, La. -- The University of Houston Softball team fell 5-4 in eight innings to McNeese on Tuesday night Cowgirl Diamond.
With the decision, the Cougars fall to 23-21 overall, while the Cowgirls improve to 33-16 on the season.
Sophomore Presley Bell took the loss to fall to 2-5 on the season. Bell surrendered two runs (one earned) on two hits with two strikeouts and no walks across three innings of relief of starter Trystan Melancon.
Sophomore Maya Thomas led Houston at the plate with three bunt singles in a 3-for-4 showing. Teammates Shelby Miller (2-3), Kelli Montgomery (2-3) and Sarah Barker (2-4) all recorded two hits, respectively. In total, Houston recorded 12 hits as a team.
KEY INNINGS
1st | The Cougars struck first for one run in the opening frame. With one out, Thomas laid down a bunt single before stealing second base. Two batters later, Miller delivered her on a single off the left-center wall for a 1-0 lead. However, a two-run home run in the bottom of the first gave McNeese a 2-1 lead.
2nd | McNeese added an unearned run in the bottom of the second to extend its lead to 3-1.
3rd | Houston responded with two runs in the top of the third to tie the game at 3-3. Freshman Arielle James and Thomas each singled to start off the inning. The Cougars then executed a sacrifice bunt from junior Kaylin Crumpton and sacrifice fly from Miller to plate James, before an infield error allowed James to come home.
7th | Houston took advantage of a two-out error in the top of the seventh to plate one run for a 4-3 lead. However, the Cowgirls took advantage of a wild pitch in the bottom frame to force extra innings.
8th | McNeese pushed across one run in the bottom of the eighth to close the game at 5-4.
HOUSTON NOTES
Top Offensive Players:
Maya Thomas | 3-4, 2 R
Shelby Miller | 2-3, 2 RBI
Kelli Montgomery | 2-3
Sarah Barker | 2-4, R
Arielle James | 1-4, R
Sarah Queen | 1-4
Pitching Breakdown:
Trystan Melancon | 4.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Presley Bell (L, 2-5) | 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
ON DECK
The Cougars will continue their road swing and return to American Athletic Conference play with a weekend series at Memphis across April 28-30.
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: Corbello, B. (9-3)
L: Bell, Presley (2-5)
Batting:
RBI: Miller, Shelby 2
SH: James, Arielle 1 ; Crumpton, Kaylin 1
SF: Miller, Shelby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: James, Arielle 1 ; Thomas, Maya 2 ; Barker, Sarah 1
SB: Thomas, Maya 1
CS: Miller, Shelby 1
Batting:
2B: McClain, J. 1 ; Saldivar, A. 1
3B: Piancastelli 1
HR: Piancastelli 1
RBI: McClain, J. 1 ; Piancastelli 2 ; Saldivar, A. 1
SH: Brown, L. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Drew, H. 1 ; Piancastelli 2 ; Schmidt, T. 1 ; Miller, J. 1
SB: Edwards, T. 1 ; Yanitor, T. 1
HBP: Edwards, T. 1 ; Schmidt, T. 1
