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Sunday, April 10
Greenville, N.C.
11 a.m.
University of Houston
23-16-1, 0
8
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East Carolina
19-21, 0
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5
6
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Houston
5
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East Carolina
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Photo by: Robert Goldberg
Five-Run First Aids Cougar Sweep
4/10/2022 1:28:00 PM | Softball
Houston sweeps East Carolina en route to best conference start since 2014
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Houston softball team jumped out to a five-run lead in the first inning thanks to back-to-back home runs by designated player Bethany Busch and first baseman Britaney Shaw as the Cougars cruised to an 8-0, six-inning run rule victory at East Carolina on Sunday from Max R. Joyner Family Stadium.
With the win, and the sweep, the Cougars (23-16-1, 7-1-1 American) are off to their best start in conference play since 2014 (11-0 start) and the best start to American play under head coach Kristin Vesely, winning seven of their first nine conference games.
The Cougars started off the first inning with three-straight base hits to score the first run, and then a pair of two-out homers, the first a three-run long ball by Busch and then a solo blast by Shaw to give Houston the five-run lead.
Senior Kenna Wilkey (8-5) punched out nine Pirate batters, tying a season-high, and struck out seven-plus for the second-straight start.
The right-handed pitcher ran into trouble in the fourth inning. In a one-out bases loaded situation, the senior struck out a pair of Pirates (19-21, 2-7 American) to end the frame.
Wilkey posted her fourth seven-plus strikeout game of the season and lowered her season ERA to 2.91 with her second-straight complete-game shutout.
Seven different Cougars had hits in the game including left fielder Amanda Carden and shortstop Rock Benavides who had a pair of hits each.
UP NEXT
Houston continues its road swing with a midweek game at McNeese on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Cougars and Cowgirls will meet for the second time this season.
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.
With the win, and the sweep, the Cougars (23-16-1, 7-1-1 American) are off to their best start in conference play since 2014 (11-0 start) and the best start to American play under head coach Kristin Vesely, winning seven of their first nine conference games.
The Cougars started off the first inning with three-straight base hits to score the first run, and then a pair of two-out homers, the first a three-run long ball by Busch and then a solo blast by Shaw to give Houston the five-run lead.
Senior Kenna Wilkey (8-5) punched out nine Pirate batters, tying a season-high, and struck out seven-plus for the second-straight start.
The right-handed pitcher ran into trouble in the fourth inning. In a one-out bases loaded situation, the senior struck out a pair of Pirates (19-21, 2-7 American) to end the frame.
Wilkey posted her fourth seven-plus strikeout game of the season and lowered her season ERA to 2.91 with her second-straight complete-game shutout.
Seven different Cougars had hits in the game including left fielder Amanda Carden and shortstop Rock Benavides who had a pair of hits each.
UP NEXT
Houston continues its road swing with a midweek game at McNeese on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Cougars and Cowgirls will meet for the second time this season.
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 −
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wilkey, Kenna (8-5)
L: T. Smith (3-2)
Batting:
2B: Carden, Amanda 1
HR: Busch, Bethany 1 ; Shaw, Britaney 1
RBI: Schulte, Becca 2 ; Howie, Aspen 1 ; Busch, Bethany 3 ; Shaw, Britaney 1 ; Matthews, LA 1
SH: Hulsey, Paige 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Carden, Amanda 1 ; Benavides, Rock 1 ; Schulte, Becca 1 ; Busch, Bethany 2 ; Shaw, Britaney 1 ; Repa, Katy 1 ; Hulsey, Paige 1
SB: Schulte, Becca 2 ; Myers, Baylea 1
Batting:
2B: Alonso 1
SH: Sinnie 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
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