Tuesday, April 4
Houston, Texas
6:30 PM
University of Houston
15-14
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Rice
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Houston
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Cougars Secure Win on Nickens Walk Off
4/5/2023 12:46:00 AM | Baseball
Nickens walks off, Tulimero has career-day in Silver Glove Series Opener
HOUSTON – Sophomore outfielder Cameron Nickens secured his second walk-off hit in the last week to surpass Rice 14-13 in the first game of a season-long match-up of the Silver Glove Series on Tuesday night at Schroeder Park.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, senior shortstop Ian McMillan led off the team with a single to right field. Sophomore outfielder Malachi Lott then quickly laid down a sacrifice bunt in front of the pitcher to move McMillan to second base before junior third baseman Zach Arnold was sent down the line as the Owls intentionally walked Houston's number two batter. Junior utility player Alex Lopez grounded out but gave the runner enough time to advance. On a 2-1 count, Nickens connected with the ball sending it just over the Owls pitcher's head allowing McMillan to cross home plate and score the final run of the game.
The Cougars (15-14, 2-1 American) tallied 16 hits on the night and Houston closer Justin Murray (2-0) earned his second straight win. Rice's (14-15, 5-4 CUSA) Tom Vincent (1-2) ultimately took the loss.
Game Highlights:
Key Innings:
2nd | Tulimero took no time to get the Cougars on the board. On the first pitch of the second inning, the junior sent a solo shot over the fence for a 1-0 lead. A Brandon Uhse double put the Cougars in scoring position before McMillan doubled deep into left field providing the opportunity for Uhse to cross the plate for a 2-0 advantage.
3rd | The Cougars' lead did not last long as Rice plated four runs in the top of the third forging ahead to a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Arnold hit a moon shot over the left field fence 444 feet to bring Houston within one at 4-3.
Rice continued its scoring escapade bringing three runs across in both the fifth and sixth inning while Houston responded with one in subsequent innings making the score 11-6.
7th | Houston held the Owls scoreless in the top of the seventh before answering the call with five runs in the bottom of the frame. Tulimero plated his second home run of the night also bringing Cameron Nickens home who had doubled a play earlier. With the bases loaded and two outs, Houston tied the game as Malachi Lott put a blooper on the line between the left fielder and shortstop bringing all three runners home for an 11-all score.
8th | A solo dinger from Rice pushed the Owls ahead once again but Houston fought back. Leadoff hitter, Lopez drew a walk before a long single from Tulimero got the Cougars into scoring position. A long-lined double to the center field wall pushed Tulimero and Lopez home giving Houston its first lead since the beginning of the game at 13-12.
9th | The Owls continued to match Houston bringing home their 13th run of the night in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 13-13 to bring out the Houston batters. With runners at third and second, Nickens knocked his second walk-off hit in the last week, singling to bring McMillan home for the 14-13 win.
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue their American Conference campaign with a three-game matchup at Wichita State. Houston will play the series opener on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. The matchup can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on The Varsity Network.
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.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, senior shortstop Ian McMillan led off the team with a single to right field. Sophomore outfielder Malachi Lott then quickly laid down a sacrifice bunt in front of the pitcher to move McMillan to second base before junior third baseman Zach Arnold was sent down the line as the Owls intentionally walked Houston's number two batter. Junior utility player Alex Lopez grounded out but gave the runner enough time to advance. On a 2-1 count, Nickens connected with the ball sending it just over the Owls pitcher's head allowing McMillan to cross home plate and score the final run of the game.
The Cougars (15-14, 2-1 American) tallied 16 hits on the night and Houston closer Justin Murray (2-0) earned his second straight win. Rice's (14-15, 5-4 CUSA) Tom Vincent (1-2) ultimately took the loss.
Game Highlights:
- Cameron Nickens recorded his second walk-off hit in the past week. His last walk-off came against No. 8 ECU on Friday when the Cougars beat the Pirates 5-4 in 10 innings.
- Anthony Tulimero knocked two home runs for the first time in his career. The first home run was a solo shot while the second was a two-run jack. The junior also set a career-high four RBI while tying his career-high hits at four and runs with three.
- Malachi Lott sent a solo shot over the fence in the bottom of the sixth before tallying a three-run double to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth.
- Graysen Drezek earned his first career start for the Cougars tossing 2.1 innings and striking out two.
- Justin Murray allowed his first run in eight appearances but secured his second straight win while also striking out two batters
- The 27 runs were the most in a game between the schools since Rice won 24-3 in seven innings on 5/27/10 at the Conference USA tournament.
Key Innings:
2nd | Tulimero took no time to get the Cougars on the board. On the first pitch of the second inning, the junior sent a solo shot over the fence for a 1-0 lead. A Brandon Uhse double put the Cougars in scoring position before McMillan doubled deep into left field providing the opportunity for Uhse to cross the plate for a 2-0 advantage.
3rd | The Cougars' lead did not last long as Rice plated four runs in the top of the third forging ahead to a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Arnold hit a moon shot over the left field fence 444 feet to bring Houston within one at 4-3.
Rice continued its scoring escapade bringing three runs across in both the fifth and sixth inning while Houston responded with one in subsequent innings making the score 11-6.
7th | Houston held the Owls scoreless in the top of the seventh before answering the call with five runs in the bottom of the frame. Tulimero plated his second home run of the night also bringing Cameron Nickens home who had doubled a play earlier. With the bases loaded and two outs, Houston tied the game as Malachi Lott put a blooper on the line between the left fielder and shortstop bringing all three runners home for an 11-all score.
8th | A solo dinger from Rice pushed the Owls ahead once again but Houston fought back. Leadoff hitter, Lopez drew a walk before a long single from Tulimero got the Cougars into scoring position. A long-lined double to the center field wall pushed Tulimero and Lopez home giving Houston its first lead since the beginning of the game at 13-12.
9th | The Owls continued to match Houston bringing home their 13th run of the night in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 13-13 to bring out the Houston batters. With runners at third and second, Nickens knocked his second walk-off hit in the last week, singling to bring McMillan home for the 14-13 win.
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue their American Conference campaign with a three-game matchup at Wichita State. Houston will play the series opener on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. The matchup can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on The Varsity Network.
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: Murray, Justin (2-0)
L: Tom Vincent (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Connor Walsh 1 ; Ben Royo 1
3B: Manny Garza 1
HR: Aaron Smigelski 1 ; Ben Royo 1
RBI: Paul Smith 1 ; Guy Garibay Jr. 2 ; Aaron Smigelski 1 ; Ben Royo 4 ; Manny Garza 2 ; Jack Riedel 2
SF: Manny Garza 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Paul Smith 1 ; Drew Holderbach 1 ; Connor Walsh 2 ; Pierce Gallo 1 ; Aaron Smigelski 3 ; Ben Royo 3 ; Manny Garza 1 ; Christian Salazar 1
Batting:
2B: Lott, Malachi 1 ; Nickens, Cameron 1 ; Tulimero, Anthony 1 ; Murray, Justin 1 ; Uhse, Brandon 1 ; McMillan, Ian 1
HR: Lott, Malachi 1 ; Arnold, Zach 1 ; Tulimero, Anthony 2
RBI: Lott, Malachi 4 ; Arnold, Zach 1 ; Nickens, Cameron 1 ; Tulimero, Anthony 4 ; Murray, Justin 2 ; McMillan, Ian 2
SH: Lott, Malachi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lott, Malachi 1 ; Arnold, Zach 1 ; Lopez, Alex 1 ; Nickens, Cameron 2 ; Tulimero, Anthony 3 ; Murray, Justin 1 ; Uhse, Brandon 2 ; Burckel, Brandon 1 ; McMillan, Ian 2
SB: Uhse, Brandon 1
CS: Murray, Justin 1
HBP: Murray, Justin 1
PO: Murray, Justin 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
3
H
4
RBI
4
AB
5
R
2
H
3
RBI
2
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
4
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
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RHP
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UTL
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UTL
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OF
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OF
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