Baseball Collects Sixth-Straight Series Win

HOUSTON – The Houston baseball team secured its sixth-straight conference series win in a 7-5 win against Wichita State on Saturday night at Schroeder Park.

Sophomore pitcher Kyle Ayers (3-1) tallied his third win of the season and second this week tossing 5.0 innings in relief for the Cougars (28-19, 11-5). Junior utility player Justin Murray closed the game for Houston for the second-straight day recording his eighth save of the season. Wichita State (27-19, 10-7) rallied in the eighth and ninth inning but it was not enough and the Shockers' Payton Tolle (8-2) was charged with the loss, only his second of the season, giving up six earned runs on 10 hits.

Game Highlights:

Zach Arnold extended his reached-base streak to 44 straight games. He has reached base in every single game he has played in this season.
Dan Wright earned his first start for the Cougars throwing 2.0 innings.
With his four RBI, Drew Bianco recorded a career-high with both a double and a triple.
With 12 hits in the game, the Cougars have recorded 25 games this season with 10+ hits including the last four.
Houston has now won all six of its conference series beating ECU, USF, Memphis and now Wichita State twice. The last time the Cougars won their first four conference series was in 2006 when Houston competed in Conference USA and won all its conference series that season.
Justin Murray tallied his eighth save of the season and sixth in conference play. The junior currently leads the conference in saves and games finished.

Player Highlights:

Drew Bianco: 2-3, 4 RBI, 2B, 3B
Brandon Burckel: 3-4, 2 R
Justin Murray: 2-3, R, RBI, 2B, SB; S, 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K

Key Innings:
1st | A leadoff single from senior outfielder Brandon Uhse got the Cougars moving two start the game. Junior third baseman Zach Arnold followed reaching on a Wichita State error and Uhse advanced to third. Uhse easily jogged across the plate when Murray notched a sacrifice fly to right field for a 1-0 score.

2^nd | The Shockers quickly took the lead with two runs in the top of the inning before the Cougars matched their scores with a pair of their own. Singles from sophomore outfielder Cameron Nickens and sophomore second baseman Brandon Burckel put the Cougars in scoring position before graduate transfer Drew Bianco laced a double to the back wall for a two RBI-hit and the lead.

4^th | Bianco tallied his second two-RBI extra-base hit in the bottom of the frame this time tripling down the right field line pushing the score to 5-2.

5^th | Houston increased its lead to five runs on a Nickens two-RBI single to give the Cougars a 7-2 lead. However, in the top of the eighth, the Shockers soared a ball over the fence bringing in two runs decreasing the Cougars' lead to 7-4.

In the top of the ninth, the Shockers brought across a run to make the score 7-5 but the Cougars ultimately held on and secured the series win.

UP NEXT:
Houston looks to secure the series sweep on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with a radio broadcast on The Varsity Network.

PROMOTIONS
Bring your four-legged friends as dog bowls will be given away all weekend. Dogs must be accompanied on a leash and remain on the grass berm. Dogs are not permitted in seating areas. Kids (12 and under) are admitted at no cost each home game for the remainder of the season if wearing their youth league jersey or camper t-shirt.

A Houston win on Saturday means fans in attendance walk away with a buy one, get one free box combo offer from Raising Cane's.

Come out for Kids Day and Family Day at the ballpark on Sundays. Kids (12 and under) 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 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 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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Team Stats

Malachi Lott

Cary Arbolida

Anthony Tulimero

Justin Murray

Players Mentioned

Zach Arnold

Kyle Ayers

Drew Bianco

Brandon Burckel

Justin Murray

Cameron Nickens

Brandon Uhse

Dan Wright

Players Mentioned

Zach Arnold

Kyle Ayers

Drew Bianco

Brandon Burckel

Justin Murray

Cameron Nickens

Brandon Uhse

Dan Wright

Upcoming Events

Recent Results