
Photo by: Ari Davis
Houston Blanks Southern, 25-0
4/17/2024 10:12:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars belt school record 10 doubles in second-straight shutout
HOUSTON – Behind a three-run first inning and a four-run second, the Houston Baseball team notched its second 20-run offensive onslaught of the season in its second straight shutout, beating Southern 25-0 on Wednesday at Don Sanders Field at Darryl and Lori Schroeder Park.
The Cougars (19-18) belted a school record 10 doubles in the game, torched three home runs and had seven different pitchers combine for the team's fourth shutout of the season with freshman Richie Roman (1-0) picking up his first collegiate win.
Houston's offensive onslaught began in the first inning, scoring three runs on three hits. The inning featured a trio of doubles and a triple as the hosts pushed three runs across in the frame.
Houston tacked on four more runs in the second inning which was highlighted by a two-run home run on second baseman Coll Harold's fifth home run of the month.
The third inning included three more runs with first baseman Justin Murray roping his second double of the game. Pinch hitter Conner Bennett then jacked his first career home run, a grand slam to make it a 15-run game. The freshman swung at the first two pitches he saw and drove in five runs. In the freshman's third at bat, Bennett doubled in his sixth RBI of the game – becoming the first Cougar with six RBI since Zach Arnold's seven RBI performance vs UT Arlington on March 26, 2023.
When the dust settled, eight Cougars recorded multiple hits with seven driving in multiple runs.
Bennett ended the game going 3 for 3 with six RBI and a triple shy of the cycle. Right fielder Cary Arbolida ended the game a double shy of the cycle after his 3 for 5 night with three RBI on a home run, triple and single.
Houston has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since blanking Memphis 2-0 and 3-0 in 2018 and scored 20+ runs twice in the same season for the first time in school history.
UP NEXT
The Cougars return to Big 12 Conference play at fellow league newcomer Cincinnati Friday-Sunday. All three games will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. First pitches are set for 4 p.m. CT on Friday, 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and 11 a.m. CT on Sunday.
BUY TICKETS
Don't miss any of the action, purchase your single-game tickets to any of the 34 Houston Cougar baseball games inside Schroeder Park by clicking here.
BUY FLEX PLAN
Can't make all 34 games this season? No problem, buy a flex plan and pick which games you want to attend in 2024.
SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB 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 Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
The Cougars (19-18) belted a school record 10 doubles in the game, torched three home runs and had seven different pitchers combine for the team's fourth shutout of the season with freshman Richie Roman (1-0) picking up his first collegiate win.
Houston's offensive onslaught began in the first inning, scoring three runs on three hits. The inning featured a trio of doubles and a triple as the hosts pushed three runs across in the frame.
Houston tacked on four more runs in the second inning which was highlighted by a two-run home run on second baseman Coll Harold's fifth home run of the month.
The third inning included three more runs with first baseman Justin Murray roping his second double of the game. Pinch hitter Conner Bennett then jacked his first career home run, a grand slam to make it a 15-run game. The freshman swung at the first two pitches he saw and drove in five runs. In the freshman's third at bat, Bennett doubled in his sixth RBI of the game – becoming the first Cougar with six RBI since Zach Arnold's seven RBI performance vs UT Arlington on March 26, 2023.
When the dust settled, eight Cougars recorded multiple hits with seven driving in multiple runs.
Bennett ended the game going 3 for 3 with six RBI and a triple shy of the cycle. Right fielder Cary Arbolida ended the game a double shy of the cycle after his 3 for 5 night with three RBI on a home run, triple and single.
Houston has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since blanking Memphis 2-0 and 3-0 in 2018 and scored 20+ runs twice in the same season for the first time in school history.
UP NEXT
The Cougars return to Big 12 Conference play at fellow league newcomer Cincinnati Friday-Sunday. All three games will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. First pitches are set for 4 p.m. CT on Friday, 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and 11 a.m. CT on Sunday.
BUY TICKETS
Don't miss any of the action, purchase your single-game tickets to any of the 34 Houston Cougar baseball games inside Schroeder Park by clicking here.
BUY FLEX PLAN
Can't make all 34 games this season? No problem, buy a flex plan and pick which games you want to attend in 2024.
SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB 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 Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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Highlights: Houston 13, Arizona 4
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