Saturday, March 25
Houston, Texas
6:30 PM
University of Houston
11-12
10
vs
2
Northwestern
1-17
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
NU
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
7
3
Houston
0
0
1
0
4
0
5
0
X
10
10
0
Cougars Claw Back, Club Northwestern, 10-2
3/25/2023 9:39:00 PM | Baseball
Houston cashes in with runners aboard, earns sixth victory in seven matchups
HOUSTON – University of Houston Baseball won its sixth game in the last seven outings, taking advantage of a four-run fifth inning and stellar start from right-handed freshman Paul Schmitz to defeat Northwestern, 10-2 on Saturday night from Sanders Field at Schroder Park.
Schmitz (1-1) allowed just two runs, working around six hits in 6.2 innings while fanning eight and lowering his ERA to 3.80. Northwestern graduate right-handed starter Michael Farinelli (0-4) allowed five runs on as many hits alongside three walks and a strikeout across 4.2 innings.
Six Houston (11-12) batters combined for 10 hits and the Cougars struck out just three times while batting .471 (8 for 17) with runners aboard including .500 (6 for 12) with runners in scoring position. Northwestern (1-17) dropped its fifth consecutive matchup and third straight in Houston after falling twice to UT Arlington at Schroeder Park.
Player Highlights
Key Innings:
3rd | After Houston's first two batters reached, junior Zach Arnold swatted an RBI-single into center field, plating graduate Drew Bianco who led off the frame with a hit by pitch and advanced to second on a single from sophomore Malachi Lott.
5th | The Cougars sent eight batters to the plate in the fifth highlighted by a two-out, two-run home run from sophomore Cameron Nickens. Lott started the scoring with a no-out RBI-double into left center, plating Bianco who was hit by a pitch. Later, junior Justin Murray laced a single through the left side, scoring junior Anthony Tulimero for a 5-0 lead.
7th | Northwestern clawed back for a pair of runs, chasing Houston starter Paul Schmitz from the game courtesy of a one-out, two-run single from sophomore Bennett Markinson, trimming Wildcats' deficit to three. Houston answered right back with five runs in the home half highlighted by a three-run home run from Tulimero who capitalized on a pair of walks. Ian McMillan added another on an RBI-sac bunt and two batters later Lott sent an RBI-single through the right side for a 10-2 Houston lead.
UP NEXT
Houston closes out the weekend at Schroeder Park with a 1 p.m. matchup against UT Arlington. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here. The matchup will also be Kids Day at Schroeder Park. 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. The contest can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on The Varsity Network app.
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.
Schmitz (1-1) allowed just two runs, working around six hits in 6.2 innings while fanning eight and lowering his ERA to 3.80. Northwestern graduate right-handed starter Michael Farinelli (0-4) allowed five runs on as many hits alongside three walks and a strikeout across 4.2 innings.
Six Houston (11-12) batters combined for 10 hits and the Cougars struck out just three times while batting .471 (8 for 17) with runners aboard including .500 (6 for 12) with runners in scoring position. Northwestern (1-17) dropped its fifth consecutive matchup and third straight in Houston after falling twice to UT Arlington at Schroeder Park.
Player Highlights
- Sophomore Cameron Nickens' two-run home run in the fifth inning was his third homer in the last four games. The sophomore extended his hit streak to five consecutive games. He has six extra-base hits in his last five contests.
- Schmitz struck out a career high eight batters, upping his total to 15 over his last two appearances. The freshman has tossed 5.0-plus innings over each of his last three appearances and 6.2 frames over his last two matchups.
- Lott totaled four hits and has nine base knocks across his last three matchups. His two doubles on the day matched his season total across eight previous contests.
- Junior Zach Arnold extended his reached base streak to all 19 games played. He has registered a hit in 10 of his last 13 matchups.
- Tulimero collected his third home run of the season and his second in the last four games as part of a five-run seventh inning. The junior now has eight RBIs in his last four matchups.
- Junior right-hander Owen Woodward earned his second save, tossing 2.1 scoreless frames alongside five strikeouts. The Breckenridge, Texas, native permitted just one hit as the Cougars limited the Wildcats to 2 for 10 (.200) with runners aboard.
Key Innings:
3rd | After Houston's first two batters reached, junior Zach Arnold swatted an RBI-single into center field, plating graduate Drew Bianco who led off the frame with a hit by pitch and advanced to second on a single from sophomore Malachi Lott.
5th | The Cougars sent eight batters to the plate in the fifth highlighted by a two-out, two-run home run from sophomore Cameron Nickens. Lott started the scoring with a no-out RBI-double into left center, plating Bianco who was hit by a pitch. Later, junior Justin Murray laced a single through the left side, scoring junior Anthony Tulimero for a 5-0 lead.
7th | Northwestern clawed back for a pair of runs, chasing Houston starter Paul Schmitz from the game courtesy of a one-out, two-run single from sophomore Bennett Markinson, trimming Wildcats' deficit to three. Houston answered right back with five runs in the home half highlighted by a three-run home run from Tulimero who capitalized on a pair of walks. Ian McMillan added another on an RBI-sac bunt and two batters later Lott sent an RBI-single through the right side for a 10-2 Houston lead.
UP NEXT
Houston closes out the weekend at Schroeder Park with a 1 p.m. matchup against UT Arlington. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here. The matchup will also be Kids Day at Schroeder Park. 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. The contest can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on The Varsity Network app.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Schmitz, Paul (1-1)
L: Michael Farinelli (0-4)
S: Woodward, Owen (2)
Batting:
2B: Griffin Arnone 1
RBI: Bennett Markinson 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Trent Liolios 1 ; Alex Calarco 1
PO: Griffin Arnone 1
Batting:
2B: Lott, Malachi 2
HR: Nickens, Cameron 1 ; Tulimero, Anthony 1
RBI: Lott, Malachi 2 ; Arnold, Zach 1 ; Nickens, Cameron 2 ; Tulimero, Anthony 3 ; Murray, Justin 1 ; McMillan, Ian 1
SH: McMillan, Ian 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lopez, Alex 2 ; Nickens, Cameron 2 ; Tulimero, Anthony 2 ; Murray, Justin 1 ; Bianco, Drew 3
SB: Tulimero, Anthony 1 ; Murray, Justin 2 ; Burckel, Brandon 1 ; Bianco, Drew 1
HBP: Lopez, Alex 1 ; Bianco, Drew 2
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
0
H
4
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
UTL
/ BaseballOF/LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballUTL
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballMedia Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Antoine Jean, Malachi Lott
Friday, May 23
Media Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Connor McGinnis, Andres Perez
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 9, Kansas State 2
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 13, Arizona 4
Thursday, May 15