Friday, February 10
Houston, Texas
3 p.m.
University of Houston
1-0
5
vs
4
South Dakota State
1-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
8
2
Houston
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
2
5
9
0
Softball Earns Pair of Wins on Houston Invitational Day Two
2/10/2023 10:23:00 PM | Softball
After a comeback win in game one, Cougars’ offense stays hot for a run-rule victory in game two
HOUSTON – The University of Houston softball program used exceptional performances on both sides of the ball to power to a pair of wins on Friday at the Cougar Softball Stadium.Â
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The Cougars came from behind to earn a 5-4, extra-innings victory over 2022 NCAA Tournament team South Dakota State in game one, then used the momentum to roll to a 9-1, run rule win in five innings in game two.Â
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Britaney Shaw played the hero against South Dakota State to start the day, driving home a pair of runs to cut into the deficit in the fifth followed by a walk-off hit in the ninth for three RBIs in the game. Shaw would finish the day with five RBIs and three hits.
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Turiya Coleman was unstoppable at the plate across both games in the doubleheader. The former top-five recruit notched a six-for-seven performance at the plate with three runs and a pair of doubles.Â
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After coming alive late in game one, the Houston offense was firing on all cylinders in game two as each of the starting nine tallying a hit. It marked the first time since April 17, 2021 against East Carolina that all of Houston's starting lineup tallied a hit.
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GAME ONE – HOUSTON 5, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 4 (9)
South Dakota State took an early lead, plating a pair of runs in the second inning off of short rally and a pair of passed balls. The Jackrabbits added another in the third to take a 3-0 lead that they held until the fifth inning.
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The Cougars started their comeback with Shaw driving home a pair of runs with a two-out single through the right side. Houston tied the game, forcing extras, as Ja'Naiya Thomas singled home Brooke Lorenzo to even the score at three.Â
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After a scoreless eighth inning, South Dakota State put themselves into position to win as Tori Tollefson doubled home a run to give the Jackrabbits a 4-3 advantage.Â
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In the home half, LA Matthews singled home a run to tie the game, putting Houston in a position to at least force another inning. The Cougars had other plans, however. After a double off the bat of Turiya Coleman and a Thomas walk, Shaw peppered a ball to the pitcher which allowed Matthews to score, giving the Cougars their first win of the year in walk-off fashion.
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Kenna Wilkey entered in relief and tossed 6.1 innings to earn the victory in game one. The D1Softball Preseason Conference Pitcher of the Year allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out eight.
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GAME TWO – HOUSTON 9, LAMAR 1 (5)
Houston kept its momentum into the second game. After a quiet first inning, Lorenzo singled home Paige Hulsey to put the Cougars ahead, 1-0.Â
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Vesely's squad added four more runs in the third inning, with Shaw and Kati Ray Brown driving home a run each and LA Matthews plating a pair on a double to left center.Â
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The Cougars kept their foot on the gas in the fourth, scoring another four runs to push the lead to 9-0. Katy Repa capped the scoring in the inning with a blast that nearly cleared the wall in left field, resulting in an RBI double.
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Taylor Edwards capped her first collegiate start in the circle by only giving up a run in a bases-loaded jam to earn the victory. She earned Houston's first complete game of the season, allowing just one run on three hits.Â
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UP NEXT
The Cougars play another doubleheader tomorrow, starting with Nebraska at 3 p.m. Immediately following, Houston will then resume its suspended game against Virginia from Thursday night. The Cavaliers led 8-1 in the middle of the third inning in the halted game. Team officials are exploring options for the originally scheduled game against Virginia.Â
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BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Softball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.Â
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SUPPORT HOUSTON RISEÂ
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
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JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
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The Cougars came from behind to earn a 5-4, extra-innings victory over 2022 NCAA Tournament team South Dakota State in game one, then used the momentum to roll to a 9-1, run rule win in five innings in game two.Â
Â
Britaney Shaw played the hero against South Dakota State to start the day, driving home a pair of runs to cut into the deficit in the fifth followed by a walk-off hit in the ninth for three RBIs in the game. Shaw would finish the day with five RBIs and three hits.
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Turiya Coleman was unstoppable at the plate across both games in the doubleheader. The former top-five recruit notched a six-for-seven performance at the plate with three runs and a pair of doubles.Â
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After coming alive late in game one, the Houston offense was firing on all cylinders in game two as each of the starting nine tallying a hit. It marked the first time since April 17, 2021 against East Carolina that all of Houston's starting lineup tallied a hit.
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GAME ONE – HOUSTON 5, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 4 (9)
South Dakota State took an early lead, plating a pair of runs in the second inning off of short rally and a pair of passed balls. The Jackrabbits added another in the third to take a 3-0 lead that they held until the fifth inning.
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The Cougars started their comeback with Shaw driving home a pair of runs with a two-out single through the right side. Houston tied the game, forcing extras, as Ja'Naiya Thomas singled home Brooke Lorenzo to even the score at three.Â
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After a scoreless eighth inning, South Dakota State put themselves into position to win as Tori Tollefson doubled home a run to give the Jackrabbits a 4-3 advantage.Â
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In the home half, LA Matthews singled home a run to tie the game, putting Houston in a position to at least force another inning. The Cougars had other plans, however. After a double off the bat of Turiya Coleman and a Thomas walk, Shaw peppered a ball to the pitcher which allowed Matthews to score, giving the Cougars their first win of the year in walk-off fashion.
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Kenna Wilkey entered in relief and tossed 6.1 innings to earn the victory in game one. The D1Softball Preseason Conference Pitcher of the Year allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out eight.
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GAME TWO – HOUSTON 9, LAMAR 1 (5)
Houston kept its momentum into the second game. After a quiet first inning, Lorenzo singled home Paige Hulsey to put the Cougars ahead, 1-0.Â
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Vesely's squad added four more runs in the third inning, with Shaw and Kati Ray Brown driving home a run each and LA Matthews plating a pair on a double to left center.Â
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The Cougars kept their foot on the gas in the fourth, scoring another four runs to push the lead to 9-0. Katy Repa capped the scoring in the inning with a blast that nearly cleared the wall in left field, resulting in an RBI double.
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Taylor Edwards capped her first collegiate start in the circle by only giving up a run in a bases-loaded jam to earn the victory. She earned Houston's first complete game of the season, allowing just one run on three hits.Â
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UP NEXT
The Cougars play another doubleheader tomorrow, starting with Nebraska at 3 p.m. Immediately following, Houston will then resume its suspended game against Virginia from Thursday night. The Cavaliers led 8-1 in the middle of the third inning in the halted game. Team officials are exploring options for the originally scheduled game against Virginia.Â
Â
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Softball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.Â
Â
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISEÂ
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
Â
JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wilkey, Kenna (1-0)
L: Glanzer (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Tollefson 1
RBI: Osmundson 1 ; Culver 1 ; Tollefson 1
SH: Culver 1 ; J. Carrillo 1
Base Running:
RUNS: R. Carrillo 1 ; Osmundson 1 ; Masterson 1 ; Christensen 1
SB: Tollefson 1
HBP: Masterson 1
Batting:
2B: Coleman, Turiya 1
RBI: Thomas, Ja'Naiya 1 ; Shaw, Britaney 3 ; Matthews, LA 1
SH: Lorenzo, Brooke 1 ; Carden, Amanda 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Coleman, Turiya 1 ; Cantu, Bree 1 ; Lorenzo, Brooke 2 ; Matthews, LA 1
CS: Hulsey, Paige 1
HBP: Coleman, Turiya 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
3
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
3
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C
/ SoftballIF/C
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
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