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Sunday, March 24
Wichita, Kan.
Noon
University of Houston
23-9, 2-1
8
at
0
Wichita State
20-11, 1-2
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Houston
3
0
1
3
1
8
7
0
Wichita State
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
Houston Takes Series from Wichita State
3/24/2019 2:47:00 PM | Softball
Barker goes 2-2 with home run in series-clinching win
WICHITA, Kan. – In a rubber match between the two squads, the University of Houston Softball team won its conference-opening series on Sunday afternoon with an 8-0 victory over Wichita State.
With the series win over the Shockers (20-11, 1-2), the Cougars (23-9, 2-1) have won their past three conference-opening series. The shutout victory also marks the 13th time this season that Houston has blanked its opponent.
On the day, Houston's offense was led by senior outfielder Sarah Barker, who went 2-for-2 in the contest with three runs scored, three RBIs and a home run. She was joined by senior first basemen Savannah Heebner as those with multiple hits for the Cougars.
In the circle, junior pitcher Trystan Melancon tossed her fourth complete-game shutout of the season, finishing the contest with four strikeouts, while surrendering just two hits in the process. In her past 23 innings of work, Melancon has allowed only one earned run and has posted an ERA of 0.30 during that stretch.
HOUSTON 8, WICHITA STATE 0 (5)
KEY INNINGS
1st | The Cougars showed their offensive power right away, as three runs in the opening frame put them ahead 3-0. After junior outfielder Lindsey Stewart and senior outfielder Sarah Barker led the game off with back-to-back walks, junior infielder Arielle James moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Once Stewart scored off a wild pitch, senior first baseman Savannah Heebner doubled around Barker to quickly put Houston ahead by a pair. Another wild pitch from the Shockers brought Heebner to third and by the end of the inning, the Cougars led 3-0, thanks to a sacrifice fly from junior infielder Sarah Queen that scored Heebner.
4th | Houston continued to put runs on the board as another three-run inning from the Cougars stretched their lead to seven. The Cougars found themselves threatening after the first two batters reached base, as Barker stepped up to the plate looking to break the game open. With a full count in the at-bat, Barker smashed her first home run of the season over the right field fence to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Sarah Barker | 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 R, HR
Savannah Heebner | 2-3, 2 R, RBI
Aspen Howie | 1-2, R, RBI
PITCHING BREAKDOWN
Trystan Melancon (W, 6-1) | 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K
ON DECK
After playing 10-straight games on the road, Houston now returns to Cougar Softball Stadium on March 27 for a midweek matchup with McNeese. First pitch for that game is slated for 6 p.m.
Following their matchup with the Cowgirls, the Cougars will host South Florida from March 29-31 for Houston's home conference-opener. Saturday's contest with the Bulls is also Houston's Alumni Day, where the Cougars will welcome back former players for a tailgate and slow-pitch softball game.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2019 season are on sale now and can be purchased for $80. Fans can also purchase a flex package of 20 games, where they can choose which games they want to attend.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
With the series win over the Shockers (20-11, 1-2), the Cougars (23-9, 2-1) have won their past three conference-opening series. The shutout victory also marks the 13th time this season that Houston has blanked its opponent.
On the day, Houston's offense was led by senior outfielder Sarah Barker, who went 2-for-2 in the contest with three runs scored, three RBIs and a home run. She was joined by senior first basemen Savannah Heebner as those with multiple hits for the Cougars.
In the circle, junior pitcher Trystan Melancon tossed her fourth complete-game shutout of the season, finishing the contest with four strikeouts, while surrendering just two hits in the process. In her past 23 innings of work, Melancon has allowed only one earned run and has posted an ERA of 0.30 during that stretch.
KEY INNINGS
1st | The Cougars showed their offensive power right away, as three runs in the opening frame put them ahead 3-0. After junior outfielder Lindsey Stewart and senior outfielder Sarah Barker led the game off with back-to-back walks, junior infielder Arielle James moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Once Stewart scored off a wild pitch, senior first baseman Savannah Heebner doubled around Barker to quickly put Houston ahead by a pair. Another wild pitch from the Shockers brought Heebner to third and by the end of the inning, the Cougars led 3-0, thanks to a sacrifice fly from junior infielder Sarah Queen that scored Heebner.
4th | Houston continued to put runs on the board as another three-run inning from the Cougars stretched their lead to seven. The Cougars found themselves threatening after the first two batters reached base, as Barker stepped up to the plate looking to break the game open. With a full count in the at-bat, Barker smashed her first home run of the season over the right field fence to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Sarah Barker | 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 R, HR
Savannah Heebner | 2-3, 2 R, RBI
Aspen Howie | 1-2, R, RBI
PITCHING BREAKDOWN
Trystan Melancon (W, 6-1) | 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K
After playing 10-straight games on the road, Houston now returns to Cougar Softball Stadium on March 27 for a midweek matchup with McNeese. First pitch for that game is slated for 6 p.m.
Following their matchup with the Cowgirls, the Cougars will host South Florida from March 29-31 for Houston's home conference-opener. Saturday's contest with the Bulls is also Houston's Alumni Day, where the Cougars will welcome back former players for a tailgate and slow-pitch softball game.
Season tickets for the 2019 season are on sale now and can be purchased for $80. Fans can also purchase a flex package of 20 games, where they can choose which games they want to attend.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Melancon, Trystan (6-1)
L: Bingham, Caitlin (11-5)
Batting:
2B: James, Arielle 1 ; Heebner, Savannah 2
HR: Barker, Sarah 1
RBI: Barker, Sarah 3 ; Heebner, Savannah 1 ; Queen, Sarah 1 ; Howie, Aspen 1
SH: James, Arielle 1
SF: Queen, Sarah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Stewart-Vaughn, Lindsey 1 ; Barker, Sarah 3 ; Heebner, Savannah 2 ; Busch, Bethany 1 ; Howie, Aspen 1
SB: Thomas, Maya 1
CS: Stewart-Vaughn, Lindsey 1
HBP: Burton, Brianna 1
Batting:
2B: Buck, Ryleigh 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
2
R
3
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ SoftballRHP/1B
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
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Wednesday, March 26
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, Lamar 6
Wednesday, March 19
Cinematic Recap vs. Iowa State
Tuesday, March 11