University of Houston
1-0
Youngstown State
0-1
Cougars Beat Youngstown State, 7-3, on Opening Day
2/14/2020 11:44:00 PM | Baseball
Brayson Hurdsman picks up win in relief; Tyler Bielamowicz collects three RBI
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team scored five unanswered runs in a 7-3 win over Youngstown State on Opening Day at Sanders Field at Schroeder Park.
The Cougars (1-0), who are ranked No. 35 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, rallied from a 3-2 deficit with two runs in the sixth inning and three runs in the seventh to come from behind against the Penguins (0-1).
KEY INNINGS
1st | Houston opened its 2020 campaign with two runs in the bottom of the first. With one out, sophomore second baseman Brad Burckel laid down a bunt single. Junior third baseman Ryan Hernandez made his introduction in a Cougar uniform with a RBI double to the wall in left center in the next at-bat before coming around himself on a two-out base knock from senior left fielder Tyler Bielamowicz.
4th | After being retired in order through its first turn through the lineup, YSU opened the fourth with three singles to get on the board.
5th | In the fifth, the Penguins tied the game on a sacrifice flyout before taking a 3-2 lead on a bases-load walk.
6th | Hernandez opened the bottom of the sixth with his third base hit of the night. Redshirt sophomore designated hitter Bryson Hill and Bielamowicz followed via free passes to load the bases. Junior Steven Rivas plated Hernandez on a pinch-hit sac fly, and sophomore third baseman Ian McMillan laced a single through the right side of the infield to give the Cougars back a 4-3 edge.
7th | Houston tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh. With the bases loaded again, Bielamowicz plated two runs on a double into the left-center gap before a balk delivered the third for the 7-3 final.
HOUSTON NOTES
Offense:
• Hernandez went 3-for-3 with a double, RBI, run scored and two walks (one intentional).
• Bielamowicz finished 2-for-3 with one double, three RBI and one walk.
• Burckel and McMillan each singled, walked and stole one base in 1-for-3 showings, respectively. Burkel scored twice, while McMillan had one RBI.
Pitching:
• Senior southpaw Brayson Hurdsman (1-0) picked up the win in relief. The Utah native started the sixth and went the rest of the way with four scoreless innings of one-hit ball. He walked one and struck out six.
• Fellow senior lefty Lael Lockhart Jr. went 4.2 innings in the start. He issued just six hits and fanned six without issuing a free pass.
• Senior righty Carter Henry recorded a strikeout for the final out of the fifth.
ON DECK
The Cougars will go for the series win in a 6:30 p.m. first pitch Saturday. Sunday's finale gets underway at noon, which fans should note has been moved up one hour earlier than what is on print materials. Gates open two hours prior to first pitch for every game.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets for the 2020 University of Houston Baseball season are on sale, and fans have the opportunity to renew and/or purchase tickets to games Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park starting for $100.
Those interested in purchasing their season tickets can do so by visiting UHCougars.com/Tickets, calling Houston Athletics Ticketing at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647), or visiting the Ticket Office located just outside of Gate 1 (northeast corner) of TDECU Stadium. For more, click HERE.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hurdsman, Brayson (1-0)
L: CLARK, Colin (0-1)
Batting:
RBI: GRAU, Turner 1 ; WEHLER, Jeff 2
SF: GRAU, Turner 1
Base Running:
RUNS: GRAU, Turner 1 ; O'SHAUGHNESSY, Padr. 1 ; MURRAY, Cameron 1
Batting:
2B: Hernandez, Ryan 1 ; Bielamowicz, Tyler 1
RBI: Hernandez, Ryan 1 ; Bielamowicz, Tyler 3 ; Rivas, Steven 1 ; McMillan, Ian 1
SF: Rivas, Steven 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Burckel, Brad 2 ; Hernandez, Ryan 3 ; Hill, Bryson 2
SB: Burckel, Brad 1 ; Hernandez, Ryan 1 ; McMillan, Ian 1
