Wednesday, May 26
Clearwater, Fla.
University of Houston
3
vs
5
(3) Wichita State
Season Ends at AAC Championship
5/26/2021 9:48:00 PM | Baseball
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 7-seed Houston Cougars scored three times in the ninth inning but the rally would not be enough in a 5-3 loss to the No. 3-seed Shockers in the elimination round of the league championship on Wednesday night at BayCare Ballpark.
With the loss, Houston finishes its season at 19-34 overall. Wichita State improves to 31-22 and moves on to face the loser of No. 6-seed USF and No. 2-seed Tulane on Friday evening.
Houston junior Kyle Lovelace deposited a solo home run over the left field wall in the ninth inning. The homer was the first of his four-year career. Tyler Bielamowicz added an RBI-base knock and Ryan Hernandez added a sacrifice fly to trim the Cougar deficit to 5-3.
Wichita State turned three double plays, including erasing Houston's first hit (Ian McMillan single) in the sixth. Another outstanding defensive snag by third baseman Paxton Wallace in shallow left robbed pinch-hitter Steven Rivas of a would-be double in the seventh.
Houston starter Jaycob Deese (2-7) retired the first nine batters he faced before the Shockers awoke in the fourth highlighted by Wallace's two-run home run over the left field wall. The junior's 11th of the season put Wichita State ahead 2-0.
Deese struck out a season-high eight batters and limited the Shockers to 1-for-7 (.143) with two outs. The right-hander allowed six hits and two runs alongside a pair of walks. Wichita State starter Jace Kaminska (8-1) allowed three hits and one run alongside one walk and six strikeouts in 8.1 innings.
Hernandez dumped a leadoff double into center in the eighth but Kaminska buckled down, recording a strikeout and ground out before McMillan put a charge into his first pitch that was eventually run down in left center.
The Shockers tacked on late, scoring three runs in the eighth off Houston reliever Derrick Cherry including a two-run home run from designated hitter Hunter Gibson. Wichita State sent seven batters to the plate in the frame, collecting four hits and taking advantage of one Houston error. In his final game, Cougar senior Carter Henry entered, using one pitch to end the frame.
DUGOUT CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Baseball program directly by joining the Dugout Club. To find out more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH or visit UHCougarPride.com.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
With the loss, Houston finishes its season at 19-34 overall. Wichita State improves to 31-22 and moves on to face the loser of No. 6-seed USF and No. 2-seed Tulane on Friday evening.
Houston junior Kyle Lovelace deposited a solo home run over the left field wall in the ninth inning. The homer was the first of his four-year career. Tyler Bielamowicz added an RBI-base knock and Ryan Hernandez added a sacrifice fly to trim the Cougar deficit to 5-3.
Wichita State turned three double plays, including erasing Houston's first hit (Ian McMillan single) in the sixth. Another outstanding defensive snag by third baseman Paxton Wallace in shallow left robbed pinch-hitter Steven Rivas of a would-be double in the seventh.
Houston starter Jaycob Deese (2-7) retired the first nine batters he faced before the Shockers awoke in the fourth highlighted by Wallace's two-run home run over the left field wall. The junior's 11th of the season put Wichita State ahead 2-0.
Deese struck out a season-high eight batters and limited the Shockers to 1-for-7 (.143) with two outs. The right-hander allowed six hits and two runs alongside a pair of walks. Wichita State starter Jace Kaminska (8-1) allowed three hits and one run alongside one walk and six strikeouts in 8.1 innings.
Hernandez dumped a leadoff double into center in the eighth but Kaminska buckled down, recording a strikeout and ground out before McMillan put a charge into his first pitch that was eventually run down in left center.
The Shockers tacked on late, scoring three runs in the eighth off Houston reliever Derrick Cherry including a two-run home run from designated hitter Hunter Gibson. Wichita State sent seven batters to the plate in the frame, collecting four hits and taking advantage of one Houston error. In his final game, Cougar senior Carter Henry entered, using one pitch to end the frame.
DUGOUT CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Baseball program directly by joining the Dugout Club. To find out more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH or visit UHCougarPride.com.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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