Upset Over No. 20 Texas Tech Paces Doubleheader Sweep

HOUSTON – With an upset win over No. 20/20 Texas Tech and a victory against Princeton, the University of Houston Softball team extended its season-high winning streak to six games on Saturday's second day of the Houston Challenge.

Houston's 2-1 victory win over the Red Raiders (10-4) marks the fifth year in a row the Cougars (11-4) have downed a ranked opponent. The Cougars' 11-1, six-inning win against the Tigers (1-2) is Houston's third run-rule victory during the six-game winnings.

The day began with a career performance from sophomore pitcher Rachel Hertenberger, who struck out a career-high 10 batters in her seven innings of work. She finished the contest surrendering just one run and three hits.

In the nighttime matchup, Houston launched four home runs in the 11-run outburst, which included a six-run bottom of the sixth.

GAME 1 | Houston 2, No. 20 Texas Tech 1

KEY INNINGS
3^rd | A couple of fielding blunders from the Red Raiders allowed junior infielder Rock Benavides and senior outfielder Lindsey Stewart to reach base. Following back-to-back walks from senior infielders Sarah Queen and Kelli Montgomery, Houston scored the first run of the game and put the Cougars out in front first. A sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Howie then scored Stewart to give Houston a two-run advantage.

5^th | With Texas Tech knocking at the door, Hertenberger produced her sixth strikeout of the game, which was then followed by an exclamation point from sophomore catcher Kati Ray Brown who ended the inning catching the runner trying to steal second.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Aspen Howie | 1-2, RBI
Charese Wyatt | 1-3

PITCHING BREAKDOWN
Rachel Hertenberger (W, 2-0) | 7.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 10 K

GAME 2 | Houston 11, Princeton 1 (6)

KEY INNINGS
3^rd | Junior designated player Charese Wyatt got the offense going with a solo bomb that soared over the scoreboard in left field to score the first run of the game. After Queen roped a double down the line, Howie then took a 1-0 pitch overall the wall for her third home run of the season to give Houston a three-run lead.

6^th | After a wild pitched stretched the Cougar lead, Montgomery drove in another run with a sacrifice flyball to put Houston ahead 7-1. Once another crossed the plate, freshman infielder Paige Hulsey stepped into the box with a pair of runners on and launched a three-run shot to cement the 11-1 win for Houston. The hit was Hulsey's first of her career.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Aspen Howie | 2-3, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Rs
Charese Wyatt | 1-3, HR, 2 R
Kati Ray Brown | 1-3, HR
Paige Hulsey | 1-1, HR, 3 RBIs

PITCHING BREAKDOWN
Megan Lee (W, 4-1) | 6.0 IP, ER, 0 BB, 3 K

ON DECK
The Cougars conclude the weekend at the Houston Challenge on Sunday at 2 p.m. with a matchup against Louisiana Tech.

The game will be played at Cougar Softball Stadium and can be streamed online at uhcougars.com/watch.

SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2020 season are on sale now and can be purchased here for $90. Fans can also purchase a 10-game flex plan for $60 or a 20-game flex plan for $90.

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 –

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