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University of Houston
35-16
Sam Houston State
29-20
Offensive Eruption Leads to Midweek Win
4/30/2019 9:01:00 PM | Softball
Cougars score 17 runs in run-rule victory, tie program-record with seven doubles
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team saw an offensive outburst on Tuesday night, as a season-high 17 runs lead to a 17-1 midweek victory over Sam Houston State. The Cougars have now won 10 of their last 12 games.
Houston's 17 runs are the most the Cougars (35-16) have scored in a game since 2016 against UT Arlington when the team plated 18 runs. The Cougars' 17 hits against the Bearkats (29-20) also marks back-to-back games that Houston has reached the 17-hit plateau.
Along with their 17 runs, the Cougars utilized their offensive firepower all night long, tallying a season-high nine extra-base hits, coming off of seven doubles and two home runs. Houston's seven doubles ties a program-record set in 2008. As a result of the offensive explosion, 19 members on Houston's roster saw action in the contest.
While junior outfielder Lindsey Stewart led the way with a game-high three hits, senior infielder Rachel Hill and sophomore infielder Caela Kincade both connected on a home run. Hill's three-run shot was her second of the year, while Kincade's two-run blast marked the second of her career.
Behind Stewart, junior infielders Arielle James, Kelli Montgomery and Sarah Queen each had two hits. In all, eight of Houston's nine hitters in the starting lineup recorded a hit on the night.
KEY INNINGS
2nd | Like they have so many times this season, the Cougars put runs up on the scoreboard early in the game, as seven runs came across the plate for Houston. After the Cougars plated a pair to start the rally, senior catcher Brooke Vannoy came to the plate and doubled home another two runs to quickly put Houston ahead by four. Once senior outfielder Sarah Queen connected on the team's third two-bagger of the inning, the Cougars lead 5-0 and by the end of the inning, Houston tacked on seven runs off eight hits to take a commanding, 7-0, advantage.
3rd | The third inning saw Houston stretch its lead even further, as a double down the left field line from junior outfielder Lindsey Stewart gave the Cougars a nine-run advantage. Following Stewart was junior infielder Arielle James, who roped one down the line, scoring Stewart and senior outfielder Sarah Barker on the play to put Houston ahead by 11 runs.
4th | After the Bearkats smacked a solo home run in the top of the inning, Houston came back and poured on six more runs in the bottom half. With a runner on, sophomore infielder Caela Kincade took full advantage of her pinch-hit opportunity and sent one over the wall for her first home run of the season to push the lead to 12 runs. Later in the inning, senior infielder Rachel Hill found herself in a two-out, two runners on situation, and sent a no-doubter behind the wall for Houston's 17th and final run of the night.
OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION
Lindsey Stewart | 3-4, 2B, 3 RBIs, 3 R
Arielle James | 2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBIs
Kelli Montgomery | 2-3, RBI
Sarah Queen | 2-2, 2B, 2 R
Rachel Hill | 1-1, HR, 3 RBIs, R
Caela Kincade | 1-1, HR, 2 RBIs, R
PITCHING BREAKDOWN
Trystan Melancon (W, 7-4) | 3.0 IP, H, 0 ER
Rachel Hertenberger | 2.0 IP, ER, BB, 2 K
ON DECK
Houston wraps up its regular season this weekend when the Cougars host ECU at Cougar Softball Stadium. The three-game series from May 3-5 will also be Houston's Senior Weekend, where the Cougars will celebrate their six seniors all weekend long.
THE AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
The University of Houston is hosting the 2019 American Athletic Conference Softball Championship, taking place from May 9-11 at Cougar Softball Softball Stadium. Fans who wish to purchase tickets to the event can do so now for a low as $3 by clicking here.
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 –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Melancon, Trystan (7-4)
L: Sanchez, Karina (1-5)
Batting:
HR: White, Bailey 1
RBI: White, Bailey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: White, Bailey 1
HBP: Goetz, Ashley 1
Batting:
2B: Barker, Sarah 1 ; Stewart-Vaughn, Lindsey 1 ; James, Arielle 2 ; Howie, Aspen 1 ; Queen, Sarah 1 ; Vannoy, Brooke 1
HR: Hill, Rachel 1 ; Kincade, Caela 1
RBI: Barker, Sarah 1 ; Stewart-Vaughn, Lindsey 3 ; James, Arielle 2 ; Montgomery, Kelli 1 ; Hill, Rachel 3 ; Howie, Aspen 1 ; Kincade, Caela 2 ; Vannoy, Brooke 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Barker, Sarah 2 ; Stewart-Vaughn, Lindsey 3 ; Williams, Tierrah 1 ; Heebner, Savannah 1 ; Hill, Rachel 1 ; Thomas, Maya 1 ; Odneal, Abby 1 ; Howie, Aspen 1 ; Kincade, Caela 1 ; Queen, Sarah 2 ; Wyatt, Charese 1 ; Vannoy, Brooke 1 ; Brown, Kati Ray 1
HBP: Brown, Kati Ray 1
