On Stroke of Midnight, Cougars Win Extra Inning Thriller

HOUSTON – In an 11-inning, four hour and 28-minute slug fest that included 29 hits, 23 runs and 20 total pitchers, the Houston baseball team wrapped up the 2024 Astros Foundation College Classic with a 13-10 win against Louisiana on Sunday night.

Houston (7-4) scored first for the ninth time this season on a second-inning three-run home run off the bat of catcher Jonathan French.

Louisiana (5-6) then went on a 6-1 scoring run to take a 6-4 lead after six innings. Houston scored three more in the seventh to reclaim the lead when first baseman Justin Murray roped one of his three doubles of the game into the right-center field gap, clearing the bases. The Ragin' Cajuns responded in the seventh inning by tying the game on a bases loaded walk.

French gave the Cougars the lead in the eighth on an RBI single – his fourth RBI on the night. The Ragin' Cajuns once again tied the game in the ninth inning on a two-out single to center field.

The game had just about everything, including a two-minute delay due to the sprinklers turning on in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Neither team scored in the 10th inning in large part because Murray fielded an attempted sacrifice bunt to throw the ghost runner out trying to advance to third base.

On the stroke of midnight, actually, the Cougars scored five runs in the 11th inning beginning with an infield single by Murray for his career-high fifth RBI of the game. Right fielder Tre Jones then singled, pinch hitter Cary Arbolida singled and then shortstop Coby DeJesus singled to plate two more.

Second baseman Harold Coll reached base four times, setting up the senior for a College Classic record three stolen bases.

Freshman Diego Luzardo (1-0) picked up his first collegiate win twirling a scoreless 10th inning. Left-hander Tim Williamson (1) recorded his second career save and first as a Cougar by striking out three in the 11th after inheriting a runer.

UP NEXT
Houston returns home for a midweek game on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Sam Houston in the first game of the 2024 Don Sanders Cup. $2 Tuesday returns with the first 50 University of Houston students getting free hot dogs, the concession stands selling $2 sodas along with $2 tickets sold at the ticket office. The game will be aired on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

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