Wednesday, March 22
Houston, Texas
6:30 PM
University of Houston
16
vs
7
Southern
Streaking Cougars Stay Hot Against Southern
3/22/2023 11:11:00 PM | Baseball
Houston pushes win streak to five, opens homestand with 16-7 victory
HOUSTON – University of Houston Baseball extended its season-long win streak to five games, defeating Southern 16-7 on Wednesday evening from Sanders Field at Schroeder Park.
The win streak is Houston's longest in non-conference play since winning six consecutive matchups from Feb. 22-March 4, 2022. Over the stretch, the Cougars (10-11) are outscoring opponents 37-19 with the five wins coming in a seven-day span. The loss dropped Southern to 5-14 on the season.
Right-handed graduate pitcher Braden Forsyth (1-0) earned the win in relief after striking out four in 2.0 scoreless frames. Cougar right-handed sophomore Kyle Ayers fanned nine and allowed a pair of runs in the start. Houston pitching struck out 15 batters and allowed just two extra-base hits. Southern starter Daren Smith (1-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 3.0 innings.
Game Highlights
3rd | Trailing 2-0, Houston evened things up with one swing of the bat. Sophomore Cameron Nickens clubbed his second home run in as many games, directing a game-tying, two-out, two-run home run over the left center field wall.
4th | Houston broke things open in the fourth, scoring seven runs on as many hits highlighted by a pair of home runs. Junior Justin Murray led off with his second home run in four games during a frame in which the Cougars sent 12 batters to the plate. Graduate student Drew Bianco, who moved his hit streak to four games, swatted a two-run homer over the center field fence. Juniors Alex Lopez and Anthony Tulimero added RBI-singles.
6th | Southern battled back in the sixth, scoring three times to trim its deficit to four runs but Houston returned a part of the favor in the home half, grabbing one run back on a Tulimero sacrifice fly following Nickens' one-out double and advancement to third on a wild pitch.
7th | The Cougars tacked on six more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on Southern miscues. Junior Jack Duffy registered a two-out, two-run triple as the Cougars batted around in the inning.
UP NEXT
Houston wraps its four-game homestand this weekend with matchups against Northwestern and UTA at Schroeder Park. This weekend is Heroes Weekend so Veterans and First Responders will get free admission to all games.
Friday's giveaway item will be a 'Go Coogs' roll up banner while supplies last as a part of Fan Friday.
A Houston win on Saturday means fans in attendance walk away with a buy one, get one free box combo offer.
Come out for Kids Day and Family Day at the ballpark on Sundays. Kids (12 and under) get in free with their youth jersey and may run the bases postgame and use inflatables in-game on site. Fans can take advantage of a $5 hot dog and soda deal at concessions.
TICKETS ON SALE
Houston Baseball flex plan packs and single-game tickets are on sale for the 2023 season. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 713-G0-COOGS (462-6647) or by click here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
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.
JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB
Fans are invited to join The Dugout Club to directly support Houston Baseball. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following UHCougarBB 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 Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarbb.
The win streak is Houston's longest in non-conference play since winning six consecutive matchups from Feb. 22-March 4, 2022. Over the stretch, the Cougars (10-11) are outscoring opponents 37-19 with the five wins coming in a seven-day span. The loss dropped Southern to 5-14 on the season.
Right-handed graduate pitcher Braden Forsyth (1-0) earned the win in relief after striking out four in 2.0 scoreless frames. Cougar right-handed sophomore Kyle Ayers fanned nine and allowed a pair of runs in the start. Houston pitching struck out 15 batters and allowed just two extra-base hits. Southern starter Daren Smith (1-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 3.0 innings.
Game Highlights
- Ten different Houston batters combined to produce 17 hits including three-hit contributions from senior Brandon Uhse and sophomore Cameron Nickens with the top four in the order combining to go 9 for 18 with 7 RBIs.
- The Jaguars collected eight hits but could not cash in when it matters most. Houston pitching held its opponents to 2 for 12 (.167) with runners in scoring position, 2 for 9 (.222) with two outs and .235 (4 for 17) with runners aboard.
- Houston finished 8 for 20 (.400) with runners aboard, 6 for 16 (.375) with runners in scoring position and 5 for 14 (.357) with two away. Eleven different Cougars scored at least one run. The squad drew seven walks and struck out four times.
- Cameron Nickens: 3 for 6, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR
- Brandon Uhse: 3 for 5, 2 R
- Alex Lopez: 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI
- Drew Bianco: 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI
- Kyle Ayers: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
- Braden Forsyth: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
3rd | Trailing 2-0, Houston evened things up with one swing of the bat. Sophomore Cameron Nickens clubbed his second home run in as many games, directing a game-tying, two-out, two-run home run over the left center field wall.
4th | Houston broke things open in the fourth, scoring seven runs on as many hits highlighted by a pair of home runs. Junior Justin Murray led off with his second home run in four games during a frame in which the Cougars sent 12 batters to the plate. Graduate student Drew Bianco, who moved his hit streak to four games, swatted a two-run homer over the center field fence. Juniors Alex Lopez and Anthony Tulimero added RBI-singles.
6th | Southern battled back in the sixth, scoring three times to trim its deficit to four runs but Houston returned a part of the favor in the home half, grabbing one run back on a Tulimero sacrifice fly following Nickens' one-out double and advancement to third on a wild pitch.
7th | The Cougars tacked on six more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on Southern miscues. Junior Jack Duffy registered a two-out, two-run triple as the Cougars batted around in the inning.
UP NEXT
Houston wraps its four-game homestand this weekend with matchups against Northwestern and UTA at Schroeder Park. This weekend is Heroes Weekend so Veterans and First Responders will get free admission to all games.
Friday's giveaway item will be a 'Go Coogs' roll up banner while supplies last as a part of Fan Friday.
A Houston win on Saturday means fans in attendance walk away with a buy one, get one free box combo offer.
Come out for Kids Day and Family Day at the ballpark on Sundays. Kids (12 and under) get in free with their youth jersey and may run the bases postgame and use inflatables in-game on site. Fans can take advantage of a $5 hot dog and soda deal at concessions.
TICKETS ON SALE
Houston Baseball flex plan packs and single-game tickets are on sale for the 2023 season. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 713-G0-COOGS (462-6647) or by click here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
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.
JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB
Fans are invited to join The Dugout Club to directly support Houston Baseball. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following UHCougarBB 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 Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarbb.
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