
Houston Extends Winning Streak to 11 Games
2/29/2020 11:25:00 PM | Softball
Big innings propel Cougars to doubleheader sweep
LAS VEGAS – The University of Houston Softball team extended its season-high winning streak to 11 games on Saturday's doubleheader sweep at the Boyd Gaming Classic.
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The Cougars' (16-4) winning streak marks the program's longest win streak since 2011. Houston began the day hitting three home runs in the 11-0 win over UTEP and followed it with another long ball in the 10-5 win over UNLV, the first time since 2014 that Houston has hit at least one home run in six consecutive games.
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In the win over the Miners (4-13), the Cougars used a seven-run bottom of the fourth to spark the victory. The seven runs the Cougars scored that inning marked the most runs they had scored in a frame this season, until an eight-run top of the third against the Rebels (15-5) topped that mark.
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Against the Miners, senior infielder Kelli Montgomery connected on two home runs, including a grand slam and a three-run shot. Her seven RBIs in the game are the most since Savannah Heebner drove in seven in 2017.
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On the day, sophomore catcher Kati Ray Brown continued to make her mark as one of the best home run hitters in the country, launching her first career grand slam against UTEP. She then followed that performance with a solo shot in the top of the seventh to score Houston's 10th run of the game, the fifth time in the last six contests the Cougars have reached the 10-run mark.
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In the matchup with the UTEP, junior pitcher McKenna Fryar tossed her second shutout of the season, surrendering just two hits and allowing no walks in the process. She needed just 48 pitches in her five innings of work.
GAME 1 | Houston 11, UTEP 0 (5)
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KEY INNINGS
3rd | After a double from junior infielder Rock Benavides led off the inning, senior outfielder Lindsey Stewart followed with a single of her own to put a pair of runners on with nobody out. Once junior designated player Charese Wyatt drew a walk, Montgomery stepped into the box and launched Houston's first grand slam of the season to put the Cougars ahead by four.
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4th | With two outs in the inning and two runners on, Montgomery took a 1-0 pitch and sent it soaring over wall for her second home run of the game to push the lead to seven. Following back-to-back singles from junior outfielder Aspen Howie and sophomore outfielder Bethany Busch, a walk from graduate transfer Becca Schulte loaded the bases for Brown. Brown then came up to the plate and blasted the Cougars' second grand slam of the game to extend the advantage to 11.
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TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Kelli Montgomery | 2-3, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 R
Kati Ray Brown | 1-3, HR, 4 RBIs
Lindsey Stewart | 2-2, 2 R
Bethany Busch | 2-2
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PITCHING BREAKDOWN
McKenna Fryar (W, 2-1) | 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 48 Pitches
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GAME 2 | Houston 10, UNLV 5
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KEY INNINGS
3rd | Benavides got the inning started with a double that brought around Brown to score and jumpstart the offense. After Stewart scored Benavides to give Houston a two-run edge, Wyatt doubled home Stewart, extending the lead to three. Once Montgomery joined the hit parade with her single through the right side, the Cougars found themselves ahead by four. Schulte then followed by driving in a pair of her owning to break the game open with Houston's six-run lead. Following another run crossing the plate, courtesy of Benavides, Stewart then used a sacrifice fly to drive in Schulte to cap of the eight-run frame. In all, Houston scored eight runs off eight hits.
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4th | UNLV battled though, as a three-run bottom of the fourth, cemented five unanswered from the Rebels to cut Houston lead to three.
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7th | Brown sealed the win with her solo blast.
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TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Becca Schulte | 2-4, 2 RBIs
Lindsey Stewart | 1-4, 3 RBIs
Kati Ray Brown | 2-3, HR, 2 R
Rock Benavies | 2-3, 2 RBIs
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PITCHING BREAKDOWN
Megan Lee (W, 5-1) | 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 K
Rachel Hertenberger | 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 K
ON DECK
The Cougars wrap their weekend at the Boyd Gaming Classic on Sunday with a matchup against New Mexico State. First pitch for that contest is slated for 11 a.m.
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.
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– UHCougars.com –
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The Cougars' (16-4) winning streak marks the program's longest win streak since 2011. Houston began the day hitting three home runs in the 11-0 win over UTEP and followed it with another long ball in the 10-5 win over UNLV, the first time since 2014 that Houston has hit at least one home run in six consecutive games.
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In the win over the Miners (4-13), the Cougars used a seven-run bottom of the fourth to spark the victory. The seven runs the Cougars scored that inning marked the most runs they had scored in a frame this season, until an eight-run top of the third against the Rebels (15-5) topped that mark.
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Against the Miners, senior infielder Kelli Montgomery connected on two home runs, including a grand slam and a three-run shot. Her seven RBIs in the game are the most since Savannah Heebner drove in seven in 2017.
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On the day, sophomore catcher Kati Ray Brown continued to make her mark as one of the best home run hitters in the country, launching her first career grand slam against UTEP. She then followed that performance with a solo shot in the top of the seventh to score Houston's 10th run of the game, the fifth time in the last six contests the Cougars have reached the 10-run mark.
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In the matchup with the UTEP, junior pitcher McKenna Fryar tossed her second shutout of the season, surrendering just two hits and allowing no walks in the process. She needed just 48 pitches in her five innings of work.
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KEY INNINGS
3rd | After a double from junior infielder Rock Benavides led off the inning, senior outfielder Lindsey Stewart followed with a single of her own to put a pair of runners on with nobody out. Once junior designated player Charese Wyatt drew a walk, Montgomery stepped into the box and launched Houston's first grand slam of the season to put the Cougars ahead by four.
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4th | With two outs in the inning and two runners on, Montgomery took a 1-0 pitch and sent it soaring over wall for her second home run of the game to push the lead to seven. Following back-to-back singles from junior outfielder Aspen Howie and sophomore outfielder Bethany Busch, a walk from graduate transfer Becca Schulte loaded the bases for Brown. Brown then came up to the plate and blasted the Cougars' second grand slam of the game to extend the advantage to 11.
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TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Kelli Montgomery | 2-3, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 2 R
Kati Ray Brown | 1-3, HR, 4 RBIs
Lindsey Stewart | 2-2, 2 R
Bethany Busch | 2-2
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PITCHING BREAKDOWN
McKenna Fryar (W, 2-1) | 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 48 Pitches
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GAME 2 | Houston 10, UNLV 5
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KEY INNINGS
3rd | Benavides got the inning started with a double that brought around Brown to score and jumpstart the offense. After Stewart scored Benavides to give Houston a two-run edge, Wyatt doubled home Stewart, extending the lead to three. Once Montgomery joined the hit parade with her single through the right side, the Cougars found themselves ahead by four. Schulte then followed by driving in a pair of her owning to break the game open with Houston's six-run lead. Following another run crossing the plate, courtesy of Benavides, Stewart then used a sacrifice fly to drive in Schulte to cap of the eight-run frame. In all, Houston scored eight runs off eight hits.
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4th | UNLV battled though, as a three-run bottom of the fourth, cemented five unanswered from the Rebels to cut Houston lead to three.
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7th | Brown sealed the win with her solo blast.
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TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Becca Schulte | 2-4, 2 RBIs
Lindsey Stewart | 1-4, 3 RBIs
Kati Ray Brown | 2-3, HR, 2 R
Rock Benavies | 2-3, 2 RBIs
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PITCHING BREAKDOWN
Megan Lee (W, 5-1) | 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 K
Rachel Hertenberger | 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 K
The Cougars wrap their weekend at the Boyd Gaming Classic on Sunday with a matchup against New Mexico State. First pitch for that contest is slated for 11 a.m.
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.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
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.
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– UHCougars.com –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fryar, McKenna (2-1)
L: JOHNSON, Allie (0-2)
Batting:
SH: HANSON, Isabella 1

Batting:
2B: Benavides, Rock 1
HR: Montgomery, Kelli 2 ; Brown, Kati Ray 1
RBI: Montgomery, Kelli 7 ; Brown, Kati Ray 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Stewart-Vaughn, Lindsey 2 ; Wyatt, Charese 2 ; Montgomery, Kelli 2 ; Howie, Aspen 1 ; Busch, Bethany 1 ; Schulte, Becca 1 ; Brown, Kati Ray 1 ; Benavides, Rock 1
SB: Busch, Bethany 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
Players Mentioned
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