University of Houston
2-3
Tennessee
6-0
Cougars Fall to Tennessee, 8-4
2/22/2020 8:18:00 PM | Baseball
Houston closes Round Rock Classic vs. No. 1 Texas Tech, Sunday
ROUND ROCK, Texas -- The University of Houston Baseball team fell 8-4 to Tennessee as part of the inaugural Round Rock Classic on Saturday afternoon at Dell Diamond.
With the decision, the Cougars fall to 2-3 on the season, while the Volunteers remain undefeated and improve to 6-0. Tennessee was receiving votes in the latest NCBWA Poll.
KEY INNINGS
1st | For the second game of the tournament and third in a row on the season, Tennessee scored multiple runs in the first inning, plating three.
4th | Junior right fielder Steven Rivas brought Houston back with one run with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. He brought junior first baseman Ryan Hernandez, who walked in the previous at-bat, around with him.
5th | Hernandez factored again in the fifth, doubling home senior shortstop Kobe Hyland after a one-out walk to tie the game, 3-3.
6th | The Cougars took the lead in the sixth. Senior Lael Lockhart Jr. opened the bottom frame with a pinch-hit single up the middle. Senior left fielder Blake Way advanced Lockhart Jr. with a sac, before he came home on a throwing error after an infield single from redshirt sophomore third baseman Ian McMillan.
7th | The Volunteers regained the lead on a bases-clearing double in the seventh.
9th | Tennessee added two runs in the ninth for the 8-4 final.
HOUSTON NOTES
Offense:
• Hernandez extended his hit streak to five games with a two-hit effort. He finished with a double, RBI, run scored and walk.
• Rivas finished 1-for-4 with his second multi-run homer of the season.
• McMillan was 1-for-3, and Lockhart Jr. delivered a pinch-hit single.
Pitching:
• Senior left-handed pitcher Tristen Bayless (0-1) suffered the loss after a bases-clearing double in the seventh. He logged 1.1 innings with two walks and five strikeouts.
• Senior southpaw Clay Aguilar went 5.1 innings in a no-decision. After being taxed for three runs in the opening frame, Aguilar bounced back with four scoreless innings before handing off the ball to Bayless in the sixth.
• Senior righty Carter Herny went 1.1 scoreless to get through the eighth.
• Junior lefty Robert Gasser made his Houston debut in the ninth.
ON DECK
The Cougars close the Round Rock Classic in a 3 p.m. finale against No. 1 Texas Tech on Sunday. That game will be streamed on FloBaseball.tv.
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.
To see the promotions schedule, 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: Jackson Leath (2-0)
L: Bayless, Tristen (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Jake Rucker 1 ; Evan Russell 1 ; Jordan Beck 2 ; Connor Pavolony 1
RBI: Zach Daniels 1 ; Jake Rucker 1 ; Jordan Beck 1 ; Alerick Soularie 1 ; Connor Pavolony 3
SH: Landon Gray 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Max Ferguson 2 ; Jake Rucker 1 ; Evan Russell 1 ; Jordan Beck 1 ; Alerick Soularie 1 ; Liam Spence 1 ; Connor Pavolony 1
SB: Max Ferguson 1 ; Jake Rucker 1 ; Evan Russell 1 ; Liam Spence 1
HBP: Luc Lipcius 1
Batting:
2B: Hernandez, Ryan 1
HR: Rivas, Steven 1
RBI: Hernandez, Ryan 1 ; Rivas, Steven 2
SH: Way, Blake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hyland, Kobe 1 ; Hernandez, Ryan 1 ; Rivas, Steven 1 ; Lockhart Jr., Lael 1
HBP: Bielamowicz, Tyler 2 ; McMillan, Ian 1
