Friday, March 28
Salt Lake City, Utah
5 p.m.
University of Houston
18-12, 0
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Photo by: Ari Davis
Houston Stumbles in Doubleheader at Utah
3/28/2025 10:45:00 PM | Softball
Cougars drop both games to open series at Utah
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Houston Softball team fell in both games of a doubleheader to Utah on Friday afternoon at Dumke Family Stadium.
After dropping the series opener, 14-3, Houston (18-13, 2-7 Big 12) couldn't withstand a late Utah (12-23, 4-4 Big 12) comeback in game two, losing 12-9.
GAME ONE – UTAH 14, HOUSTON 3 (5 INN.)
Redshirt sophomore Nicole Bodeux (1-2) took the loss in game one, ceding five runs in her third start of the season. Shelbee Jones (6-9) secured the complete-game victory after allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks.
Player Highlights
2nd | After scoring five in the first, Utah kept its foot on the gas in the second. Ultimately, the Utes plated eight runs in the frame off seven hits, a pair of walks and an error to push its lead to 13-0.
5th | While the Utes would add another run on a double-steal in the fourth, Houston got on the board in the top of the fifth. After a single and two walks loaded the bases, sophomore Makenna Mitchell collected her 27th RBI of the season with a single through the left side. Freshman Isabel Cintron forced another run across as she reached on an error and freshman Madox Mitchael plated the third run of the frame as she drew a bases-loaded walk, capping the scoring at 14-3.
GAME TWO – UTAH 12, HOUSTON 9
Brooklyn Carreon (3-5) earned the win for Utah in the second game of the day, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on four hits and three walks. Freshman Nevaeh Brown suffered the loss, giving up three unearned runs while only ceding one hit and one walk.
Player Highlights
1st | Houston struck first in the second game of the day. After Wilkins led off the game with a walk, she advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a wild pitch. Mitchell drove her home with a two-out double, putting the Cougars up 1-0.
3rd | Utah evened the score with a solo homer in the second, but Houston quickly reclaimed the advantage in the next half inning. Wilkins again succeeded in the leadoff spot, hitting a double to left to start the inning. Hartley drove her home with a single up the middle to secure a 2-1 lead.
4th | The Cougars struck again in the fourth. A pair of walks and an error loaded the bases for Houston and Hartley earned her second RBI of the game by drawing a walk. In the next appearance, Wells sent a 3-2 pitch over the center-field fence for her first career grand slam to push the score to 7-1.
7th | After Utah cut one off the deficit in the sixth, Houston added to its edge in the top of the final frame. After Mitchell walked to put a runner on, junior Mandy Esman laced a double to right-center to drive home the sophomore. Mitchael immediately followed it up with a single up the middle to plate Esman to take the lead to 9-2.
Utah completed the comeback in the bottom of the frame. A walk and double put a pair of runners in scoring position for the Utes and Jolie Mayfield sent a pitch back up the middle to plate one. Kennedy Proctor hit a three-run homer in the next at-bat to shrink Houston's lead to 9-6. Utah would go on to load the bases with two outs and an error allowed two runs to cross, getting Utah within one. After an intentional walk again loaded the bases, Emily Capobianco secured the win for Utah with a walk-off grand slam, picking up the 12-9 win.
UP NEXT
After a day off on Saturday, Houston is back in action at 1 p.m. CT, Sunday to close the series against Utah. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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.
− UHCougars.com −
After dropping the series opener, 14-3, Houston (18-13, 2-7 Big 12) couldn't withstand a late Utah (12-23, 4-4 Big 12) comeback in game two, losing 12-9.
GAME ONE – UTAH 14, HOUSTON 3 (5 INN.)
Redshirt sophomore Nicole Bodeux (1-2) took the loss in game one, ceding five runs in her third start of the season. Shelbee Jones (6-9) secured the complete-game victory after allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks.
Player Highlights
- Makenna Mitchell: 1-2, RBI, BB
- Madox Mitchael: 0-1, RBI, 2 BB
- Jordee Wilkins: 1-3, R
- Nevaeh Brown: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Freshman Brooke Wells and sophomore Jordee Wilkins both reached base in their 10th consecutive games.
- Houston drew five walks in the game, bringing its season total to 179.
2nd | After scoring five in the first, Utah kept its foot on the gas in the second. Ultimately, the Utes plated eight runs in the frame off seven hits, a pair of walks and an error to push its lead to 13-0.
5th | While the Utes would add another run on a double-steal in the fourth, Houston got on the board in the top of the fifth. After a single and two walks loaded the bases, sophomore Makenna Mitchell collected her 27th RBI of the season with a single through the left side. Freshman Isabel Cintron forced another run across as she reached on an error and freshman Madox Mitchael plated the third run of the frame as she drew a bases-loaded walk, capping the scoring at 14-3.
GAME TWO – UTAH 12, HOUSTON 9
Brooklyn Carreon (3-5) earned the win for Utah in the second game of the day, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on four hits and three walks. Freshman Nevaeh Brown suffered the loss, giving up three unearned runs while only ceding one hit and one walk.
Player Highlights
- Brooke Wells: 2-4, 4 RBI, HR, R
- Jordee Wilkins: 1-2, 3 R, 2 BB, 2B
- Mandy Esman: 2-4, RBI, 2B, R
- Wilkins scored her 30th run of the season in the game. She now sits at 31 on the season, averaging one per game.
- Houston scored five-or-more runs in an inning for the 12th time this season.
- Freshman Maddie Hartley picked up her eighth multi-RBI game of the season.
- Wells tallied both her 11th multi-hit and multi-RBI games of the year.
- Wilkins scored three runs in the game, her third time scoring three runs in a game in her career.
- Wells hit Houston's 53rd grand slam in program history and first of the season.
- Junior Mandy Esman and freshman Madox Mitchael posted their third and fourth multi-hit games of the year, respectively.
- Wells has collected 38 RBIs this season, averaging 1.23 per game. Her per-game mark currently bests the program-record of 1.08 set by Haley Outon in 2012.
- Wells' grand slam was Houston's first since Bree Cantu hit one at SFA on March 20, 2024.
1st | Houston struck first in the second game of the day. After Wilkins led off the game with a walk, she advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a wild pitch. Mitchell drove her home with a two-out double, putting the Cougars up 1-0.
3rd | Utah evened the score with a solo homer in the second, but Houston quickly reclaimed the advantage in the next half inning. Wilkins again succeeded in the leadoff spot, hitting a double to left to start the inning. Hartley drove her home with a single up the middle to secure a 2-1 lead.
4th | The Cougars struck again in the fourth. A pair of walks and an error loaded the bases for Houston and Hartley earned her second RBI of the game by drawing a walk. In the next appearance, Wells sent a 3-2 pitch over the center-field fence for her first career grand slam to push the score to 7-1.
7th | After Utah cut one off the deficit in the sixth, Houston added to its edge in the top of the final frame. After Mitchell walked to put a runner on, junior Mandy Esman laced a double to right-center to drive home the sophomore. Mitchael immediately followed it up with a single up the middle to plate Esman to take the lead to 9-2.
Utah completed the comeback in the bottom of the frame. A walk and double put a pair of runners in scoring position for the Utes and Jolie Mayfield sent a pitch back up the middle to plate one. Kennedy Proctor hit a three-run homer in the next at-bat to shrink Houston's lead to 9-6. Utah would go on to load the bases with two outs and an error allowed two runs to cross, getting Utah within one. After an intentional walk again loaded the bases, Emily Capobianco secured the win for Utah with a walk-off grand slam, picking up the 12-9 win.
UP NEXT
After a day off on Saturday, Houston is back in action at 1 p.m. CT, Sunday to close the series against Utah. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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.
− UHCougars.com −
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jones, Shelbee (6-9)
L: Bodeux, Nicole (1-2)
Batting:
RBI: Mitchell, Makenna 1 ; Mitchael, Madox 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilkins, Jordee 1 ; Wells, Brooke 1 ; Hartley, Maddie 1
Batting:
2B: Mayfield, Jolie 1 ; Proctor, Kennedy 1 ; Sakai, Sianni 1
3B: Proctor, Kennedy 1
HR: Passi, Shonty 1
RBI: Ortiz, Shelbi 1 ; Mayfield, Jolie 2 ; Proctor, Kennedy 3 ; Passi, Shonty 4 ; Lyon, Kayla 2
SH: Capobianco, Emily 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ortiz, Shelbi 2 ; Nelsen, Kaylah 2 ; Capobianco, Emily 1 ; Mayfield, Jolie 1 ; Proctor, Kennedy 2 ; Lee, Reese 2 ; Passi, Shonty 2 ; Sakai, Sianni 2
SB: Ortiz, Shelbi 1 ; Passi, Shonty 1 ; Sakai, Sianni 1
Game Leaders
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Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: Houston 5, Utah 2
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HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, McNeese 6
Wednesday, March 26
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, Lamar 6
Wednesday, March 19
Cinematic Recap vs. Iowa State
Tuesday, March 11