University of Houston
1-0
Northwestern State
0-1
Hyland, Houston Walk Off Northwestern State, 5-3
2/15/2019 11:46:00 PM | Baseball
Junior hits two-run, walk-off home run in bottom of ninth
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team opened its 2019 season, walking off Northwestern State, 5-3, on Opening Day on Friday at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
The Cougars (1-0) rallied from a 3-0 deficit, fueled by multi-run home runs from senior first baseman Joe Davis and junior shortstop Kobe Hyland. Davis hit a game-tying, three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth, before Hyland surged Houston by the Demons (0-1) with a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth.
Junior right-handed pitcher Devon Roedahl (1-0) picked up his first win, retiring all four batters faced in relief.
KEY INNINGS
6th | Down 3-0, the Cougars tied the game with three straight hits in the bottom of the sixth. Senior center fielder Grayson Padgett and junior third baseman Jared Triolo each singled. With two on, Davis cleared the bases with a home run to left field.
9th | Still knotted at 3-3, junior left fielder Lael Lockhart Jr. drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth. Freshman Johnathon Thomas checked in as a pinch runner and he trotted on in the next at-bat, as Hyland homered to right field to walk things off.
HOUSTON NOTES
Offense:
• Hyland's walk-off home run is the first since Padgett hit one against San Diego to break a 3-3 tie in the 12th inning on March 9, 2018. Hyland finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBI and one run scored.
• With his home run, Davis tied Brandon Caraway (1997-2000) for program lead with 82 career extra-base hits. He finished 1-for-4 with three RBI and one run scored.
• Padgett turned in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with a single, double and one run scored. He collected the team's first hit of the season with a double in the bottom of the first inning.
• Lockhart (1-for-3) and Triolo (1-for-4) each singled, respectively.
Pitching:
• Roedahl used just 14 pitches to retire all four batters he faced, including collecting one strikeout.
• Junior Fred Villarreal tossed five and one-third scoreless innings of relief. The native of Brownsville, Texas, scattered three hits and struck four while walking one. His four strikeouts tied his career high set against Sam Houston State on April 25, 2017.
• Junior Tyler Bielamowicz made his first Opening Day start and just the third start of his career. He logged two and one-third innings, issuing six hits and three runs while walking and striking out one apiece
ON DECK
The Cougars go for the series win in a 6:30 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. Sunday's finale gets underway at 1 p.m. Gates open two hours prior to first pitch for every game.
PARKING IN 2019
Gameday parking is offered in a different capacity than in prior years. Anyone entering Lot 16B (across the street from right field) will be subjected to paying a third party company employed by campus. This lot will no longer be an option for free parking on gamedays. All other lots surrounding the stadium will be free of charge two hours prior to first pitch.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" UHCougarBB on Facebook.
JOIN DUGOUT CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Baseball program by joining the Dugout Club. To find out more information about the Dugout Club, visit UHCougarPride.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Roedahl, Devon (1-0)
L: Reich, Austin (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Ricca, Caleb 1 ; Lagreco, J.P. 1 ; Davis, Peyton 1 ; Stegall, Austin 1
RBI: Lagreco, J.P. 1 ; Taylor, Sam 1 ; Stegall, Austin 1
SF: Taylor, Sam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ricca, Caleb 2 ; Davis, Peyton 1
HBP: Lagreco, J.P. 1
Batting:
2B: Padgett, Grayson 1
HR: Davis, Joe 1 ; Hyland, Kobe 1
RBI: Davis, Joe 3 ; Hyland, Kobe 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Padgett, Grayson 1 ; Triolo, Jared 1 ; Davis, Joe 1 ; Thomas, Johnathon 1 ; Hyland, Kobe 1
HBP: Burckel, Brad 1
