Houston Completes Sweep of Don Sanders Cup Sweep

Tuesday, April 23

Sugar Land, Texas (Constellation Field)

7:05 p.m.

University of Houston

25-16

Sam Houston State

22-16

Sam Houston St.

Houston

4/23/2019 11:11:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

Cougars take finale versus Sam Houston State, 9-3

By: Kyle Rogers

SUGAR LAND, Texas -- The University of Houston Baseball team defeated Sam Houston State, 9-3, on Tuesday night at Constellation Field.

With the win, the Cougars, winners of eight of the last nine, sweep the Don Sanders Cup and improve to 25-16 on the season, while the Bearkats fall to 22-16. Both teams entered the week receiving votes in the latest NCBWA Top 30 poll.

At the conclusion of the series Cougars Clay Aguilar, Tyler Bielamowicz, Derrick Cherry, Joe Davis and Jared Triolo were named to the Don Sanders Cup All-Series Team with Triolo being named MVP.

KEY INNINGS
1st | Both teams scored in the first inning. After SHSU hit a two-out, solo home run in the opening frame, Houston responded with two runs in the bottom half to take the lead. Triolo and Cherry each singled to lead things off before Davis made it three straight base hits with a RBI single up the middle. With two outs later in the inning, Bielamowicz singled home Cherry with a shot through the left side of the infield to make it 2-1.

4th | The Bearkats scored two runs in the top of the fourth, but the Cougars once again answered in the bottom frame, breaking out for six runs. With one out, Houston sent seven straight to the plate before recording anothern out. Cougars Kyle Lovelace (walk), Brad Burckel (single), Triolo (walk) loaded the bases. Cherry singled home two with ball up the middle. Davis followed with a two-RBI single of his own. Senior left fielder Rey Fuentes III walked, and senior center fielder Grayson Padgett singled in the infield, with a throwing error on the play allowing Davis to come home. Bielamowicz capped the scoring with a sacrifice bunt to take an 8-3 advantage.

6th | Bielamowicz tacked on another for Houston with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the sixth for the 9-3 final.

HOUSTON NOTES
Offense:
• Cherry and Davis each turned in three-hit efforts. Cherry finished 3-for-4 with three singles, one walk, two RBI and three runs scored, while Davis was 3-for-5 with three singles, three RBI and one run scored.
• Triolo went 2-for-4 with two singles, one walk and two runs scored.
• Cougars Bielamowicz (1-for-3), Burckel (1-for-3), Padgett (1-for-3) and junior shortstop Kobe Hyland (1-for-4) each singled, respectively. Bielamowicz tied his career high with three RBI, while Burckel added a stolen base.

Pitching:
• Junior right-hander Sean Bretz (1-0) picked up the win with three scoreless innings of relief in the middle innings. Bretz issued just one hit and one walk while fanning four.
• Sophomore Jared Pettitte got the start and went three innings in his return to action.
• Juniors Brayson Hurdsman (2.0 IP) and Devon Roedahl (1.0 IP) closed out the game with three scoreless innings.

ON DECK
The Cougars return to American Athletic Conference play with a three-game series at USF starting Friday.

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.