University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
7-1
Michigan
7-2
Gardner’s Walk-off Homer Completes Comeback Victory Over Michigan
2/14/2026 8:33:00 PM | Softball
Cougars score six runs in the seventh inning to down Wolverines 10-9
Trailing 9-4 in the seventh, the Cougars (7-1) hit three home runs courtesy of sophomores Isabel Cintron (solo) and Maddie Hartley (three-run) before Gardner, who hit her first career homer in the bottom of the sixth, came back and tallied her second of the day to down the Wolverines (7-2).
Player Highlights
- RyLee Gardner: 3-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
- Maddie Hartley: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 2B, R
- Isabel Cintron: 1-2, HR, RBI, R, BB
- Makenna Mitchell: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
Game Highlights
- Junior Makenna Mitchell struck first for the Cougars, blasting a two-run shot to deep center and give Houston a 2-0 lead in the first.
- After going scoreless for four innings, Gardner tallied her first career home run in the sixth to cut the Cougars' deficit to 8-4.
- Entering the seventh down 9-4, Cintron produced her second homer in as many days, going solo to cut Michigan's lead to 9-5.
- With runners on first and second, Hartley added to Houston's late bid with a three-run homer to deep center to make it a one-run game at 9-8.
- Following Mitchell's walk, Gardner returned to the plate and supplied the moment of the day with her second homer of the day to walk-off Michigan and complete Houston's comeback.
- Freshman Hailey Gore made her collegiate debut, entering the game as a pinch hitter in place of senior Mandy Esman.
Key Innings
6th | Down 8-2, Hartley opened the sixth with a double to left field. Following a pop fly and a ground out to short, Gardner stepped up in a big way as she launched her first career home run to cut Houston's deficit to 8-4.
7th | Trailing 9-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Cintron went solo yard on her second pitch of the at bat to cut the gap to 9-5. After senior Jordee Wilkins and sophomore Ariel Redmond reached base, Hartley flipped momentum Houston's way with a three-run blast to deep center, bringing the deficit to 9-8. Following a five-pitch Mitchell walk with two outs, Gardner made the play of her young Cougar career as she cracked a two-run walk-off home run to complete Houston's comeback 10-9.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will close out the final day at the Houston Invitational where they will face Incarnate Word at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, at the Cougar Softball Stadium. The game will be streamed 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: Bodeux, Nicole (2-0)
L: LaMarche, Grayson (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Erickson, Maddie 1
HR: Conway, Jenissa 1 ; Putz, Lauren 2 ; Stephenson, Ella 1 ; Ramey, Madi 1
RBI: Conway, Jenissa 3 ; Ilacqua, Janelle 1 ; Putz, Lauren 2 ; Vallimont, Lilly 1 ; Stephenson, Ella 1 ; Ramey, Madi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Conway, Jenissa 2 ; Ilacqua, Janelle 1 ; Thorington, Cece 1 ; Putz, Lauren 2 ; Stephenson, Ella 1 ; Ramey, Madi 2
Batting:
2B: Hartley, Maddie 1
HR: Gardner, RyLee 2 ; Cintron, Isabel 1 ; Mitchell, Makenna 1 ; Hartley, Maddie 1
RBI: Gardner, RyLee 4 ; Cintron, Isabel 1 ; Mitchell, Makenna 2 ; Hartley, Maddie 3
SH: Garcia, Leilani 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mitchael, Madox 1 ; Wilkins, Jordee 1 ; Gardner, RyLee 2 ; Redmond, Ariel 1 ; Cintron, Isabel 1 ; Mitchell, Makenna 2 ; Hartley, Maddie 1 ; Rawls, Gabby 1
SB: Mitchael, Madox 1
CS: Redmond, Ariel 1
