Houston Rallies Late for 8-7 Win at Lamar

Tuesday, April 2

Beaumont, Texas

6:00 p.m.

University of Houston

15-13

Lamar

9-19

Houston

Lamar

4/2/2019 10:33:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season stats (PDF)

Joe Davis hits go-ahead home run to leadoff ninth inning

By: Kyle Rogers

BEAUMONT, Texas -- Tied 8-8, senior first baseman Joe Davis hit a leadoff home run in the top of the ninth inning to give the University of Houston Baseball team an 8-7 win over Lamar on Tuesday night at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

With the win, the Cougars improve to 15-13 on the season, while the Cardinals move to 9-19.

KEY INNINGS
2nd | Lamar scored two runs in the bottom of the second.

3rd | Houston got one run back in the top of the third. After freshman second baseman Brad Burckel reached on an error to open the inning, sophomore catcher Kyle Lovelace moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. The move paid immediate dividends as junior third baseman Jared Triolo doubled to center field to score Burckel. However, the Cardinals scored two runs in the bottom frame to push their lead to 4-1.

4th | The Cougars broke out for a four-run fourth. Houston's first four batters reached to open the inning. Senior left fielder Rey Fuentes III hit a leadoff homer down the left-field line. Junior right fielder Tyler Bielamowicz followed with a bunt single to second base and promptly stole second before moving up to third on a wild pitch. Junior Brett Esau reached on a pinch-hit hit by pitch. With runners at the corners, Burckel singled home Bielamowicz. After Lovelace again pushed runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, Triolo delivered junior Landon Etzel, who pinch ran for Esau, before Burkel scored on a wild pitch to take a 5-4 lead.

5th | Lamar scored three runs in the fifth to reclaim the edge at 7-5.

8th | Houston rallied with two runs in the top of the eighth to tie the game. Bielamowicz doubled down the left-field line, and junior Lael Lockhart Jr., who entered in the sixth, scored him two pitches later with a single to center field. Burckel advanced Lockhart Jr. to second base with a sacrifice bunt, before Way doubled him home.

9th | Senior first baseman Joe Davis put the Cougars on top with a leadoff home run to left field to open the ninth for the 8-7 final.

HOUSTON NOTES
Offense:
• Davis finished 1-for-4 with his American Athletic Conference leading 12 home run of the season. He also drew two walks, one of which was intentional.
• Fuentes III tied his career high with three hits, including his solo home run in the fourth, in a 3-for-5 effort. His homer was his third of the year.
• Lockhart came off the bench and went 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored.
• Bielamowicz finished 2-for-5 with a single, double, two runs scored and one stolen base.
• Triolo and Way each doubled, respectively. Triolo's came in a 1-for-4 display with two RBI and a stolen base, while Way's came in a 1-for-2 showing off the bench.
• Freshman Derrick Cherry finished 1-for-4 with a walk.

Pitching:
• Seven Cougars threw in the Johnny Wholestaff effort.
• Junior right-handed pitcher Devon Roedahl (5-2) picked up his league-leading fifth win of the season, with all coming out of the bullpen. Roedahl tossed one and one-third scoreless innings. He retired all four batters he faced and fanned two.
• Sophomore Clay Aguilar issued four runs (two earned) across two and two-third innings before giving way to the bullpen.
• Junior Sean Bretz issued three runs (two earned) in one and one-third innings.
• Juniors Carter Henry and Tristen Bayless combined to toss a scoreless fifth.
• Junior Brayson Hurdsman went an inning and two-thirds scoreless to get into the seventh before handing the ball off to Roedahl.
• Junior Fred Villarreal retired all three batters faced in the ninth to record his sixth save of the season. His six saves rank second in the conference.

ON DECK
After five games on the road, the Cougars return the friendly confines of Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park for four games to close out the week.

The Cougars will play host to FIU in a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday matchup before returning to American Athletic Conference play with a three-game series against ECU starting Friday. Wednesday's game against FIU is presented by Aspen Heights, while Friday's game with ECU is presented by Gonzales Electric and will be broadcast on The American Digital Network. ADN games are available on Facebook on the conference's live event page, The American Digital Network Plus.

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.