Tuesday, April 11
Houston, Texas
6 p.m.
University of Houston
2
vs
4
McNeese
Softball Falls to McNeese in Extras
4/11/2023 9:37:00 PM | Softball
Cougars drop their first extra-inning contest of the year
HOUSTON – The University of Houston softball team couldn't overcome a late error in a 4-2, nine-inning loss to McNeese on Tuesday night at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
Graduate student Kenna Wilkey (13-8) earned the loss in her longest career outing, tossing a complete-game and allowing only a pair of earned runs for Houston (18-19). Ashley Vallejo (10-7) tallied the win in relief for McNeese (29-12) after tossing two shutout innings.
Player Highlights
6th | After five innings of pitching stifling offenses, McNeese broke through in the top of the sixth. With a pair of runners in scoring position, a bunt allowed the Cowgirls to break the tie and go up 1-0. A double steal in the next at-bat pushed the score to 2-0.
7th | Facing a two-run deficit, Houston led off the bottom of the seventh with a pinch-hit home run off the bat of Robertson to cut McNeese's lead to 2-1. Carden followed it up with a double two batters later and reached third on a groundout from sophomore infielder Brooke Lorenzo. Hulsey tied the game, driving home Carden with a single to left to force extra innings.
9th | A defensive miscue allowed McNeese to put a pair of runners in scoring position with one out and the Cowgirls retook the lead with a sacrifice fly to go ahead 3-2. McNeese added another unearned run on a bloop single to right to take a two-run lead after eight and a half.
Senior outfielder Katy Repa led off the bottom of the inning with a double and a single from Carden put runners on the corners with one out. After a strikeout, a walk loaded the bases, however McNeese sealed the win as senior infielder Bree Cantu drove a flyout to the warning track to end the game.
UP NEXT
Houston heads to Kansas for a three game series against #20/#23 Wichita State. The series kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by Saturday's game at 2 p.m. and the series finale on Sunday at noon. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Softball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking 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 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.
Graduate student Kenna Wilkey (13-8) earned the loss in her longest career outing, tossing a complete-game and allowing only a pair of earned runs for Houston (18-19). Ashley Vallejo (10-7) tallied the win in relief for McNeese (29-12) after tossing two shutout innings.
Player Highlights
- Paige Hulsey: 2-4, RBI, BB
- Emma Robertson: 1-1, R, RBI, HR
- Amanda Carden: 2-4, R
- Sophomore utility Turiya Coleman has reached base in each of the last seven games.
- Junior outfielder Paige Hulsey tallied her ninth multi-hit game of the season and 16th of her career. Junior outfielder Amanda Carden also tallied her 16th career multi-hit game with a pair of hits.
- Houston is 6-5 when wearing their red-white combination jerseys.
- The Cougars were hit by two pitches for the seventh time this season.
- Sophomore catcher Emma Robertson hit her sixth home run of the year in the win. Houston has hit at least one home run in each of its last six games. Her home run was the first in the seventh inning or later this season and marked the 17th solo shot out of the Cougars' 27 home runs this season.
- The nine-inning complete game was the longest career outing for Wilkey, beating her previous mark of eight innings. It was also the longest outing for a Houston pitcher since Hannah Todd tossed eight innings against Texas A&M on May 4, 2022.
- Houston is 2-1 in extra-inning games this season.
6th | After five innings of pitching stifling offenses, McNeese broke through in the top of the sixth. With a pair of runners in scoring position, a bunt allowed the Cowgirls to break the tie and go up 1-0. A double steal in the next at-bat pushed the score to 2-0.
7th | Facing a two-run deficit, Houston led off the bottom of the seventh with a pinch-hit home run off the bat of Robertson to cut McNeese's lead to 2-1. Carden followed it up with a double two batters later and reached third on a groundout from sophomore infielder Brooke Lorenzo. Hulsey tied the game, driving home Carden with a single to left to force extra innings.
9th | A defensive miscue allowed McNeese to put a pair of runners in scoring position with one out and the Cowgirls retook the lead with a sacrifice fly to go ahead 3-2. McNeese added another unearned run on a bloop single to right to take a two-run lead after eight and a half.
Senior outfielder Katy Repa led off the bottom of the inning with a double and a single from Carden put runners on the corners with one out. After a strikeout, a walk loaded the bases, however McNeese sealed the win as senior infielder Bree Cantu drove a flyout to the warning track to end the game.
UP NEXT
Houston heads to Kansas for a three game series against #20/#23 Wichita State. The series kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by Saturday's game at 2 p.m. and the series finale on Sunday at noon. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Softball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking 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 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.
Players Mentioned
INF
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OF
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IF/C
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OF
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INF
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C
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RHP
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RHP
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