Softball Comes up Short in Comeback against #2/#1 Texas

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team battled close but came up short in a 8-6 loss to #2/#1 Texas on Sunday afternoon at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Paris Lehman (4-1), who started and then reentered as a reliever, earned the decision for Houston (17-7, 1-2 Big 12) in her second start of the weekend. Teagan Kavan (10-0) received the win for Texas (21-2, 2-1 Big 12) after tossing two innings in relief.

Player Highlights

Lair Beautae: 2-4, R, RBI, HR
Bree Cantu: 1-1, R, 3 BB, 2B
Kennedy Thomas: 3-4, RBI

Game Highlights

While Texas entered the weekend having allowed 21 runs in 20 games, Houston nearly doubled that total with 20 runs in three games.
Graduate Bree Cantu drew three walks in the game for the second time this season.
Junior Lair Beautae is tied for the team lead with five home runs on the year.
Across the three games, Houston had 3,810 fans in attendance for the weekend.

Key Innings
2nd | Cantu led off the inning with a double to right field and advanced to third on a single from junior Turiya Coleman. After graduate Shelby Smith drew a walk to load the bases, junior Ja'Naiya Thomas hit a sacrifice-fly to plate Cantu, giving Houston an early 1-0 lead.

3rd | Texas got on the board and took the lead with two runs in the top of the third.

Houston answered quickly in the bottom of the inning to even the score as Beautae hit her second home run of the weekend.

6th | After Texas used a run in the fourth and three in the fifth to take a four-run lead, Houston fought back in the sixth.

Back-to-back walks from Cantu and Coleman put a pair of runners on for Smith, who laced a single and forced an error that allowed two Cougars to score. After graduate Katy Repa pinch-ran for Smith, she advanced to third as Ja'Naiya Thomas reached on an error and then scored on a double from sophomore Mandy Esman. Esman would also come around to score on a Kennedy Thomas single to even the score at 6-6.

7th | Texas used a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to escape with an 8-6 victory.

UP NEXT
The Cougars continue conference play with its first road series of its league slate at Iowa State next weekend. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday's game starts at 1 p.m. with the series finale getting a noon, Sunday, first pitch.

BUY TICKETS
Tickets for the 2024 softball season are available now. This year's home slate features 30 games, including five Big 12 Conference series. Season tickets cost $120, or just $4 per game, and include all neutral site games at Cougar Softball Stadium. Click here to ensure you don't miss any of the action during the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference!

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as 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.

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