Softball Bests HCU, Fairfield in Friday Doubleheader

Friday, February 6

Houston, Texas

2 p.m.

University of Houston

2-0

Houston Christian

0-3

Houston Christian

Houston

Softball Bests HCU, Fairfield in Friday Doubleheader

2/6/2026 7:24:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Cougars remain undefeated after shutting out Huskies; comeback to knock off Stags

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team continued its strong start at the Houston Tournament following doubleheader victories over HCU and Fairfield at Cougar Softball Stadium on Friday.

The Cougars (3-0) produced a dominant 7-0 shutout against the Huskies (0-3) early afternoon before fighting back for a 3-2 comeback win over Fairfield (1-1) after trailing twice in the evening. Houston now improves to 13-2 all-time against HCU, winning each of the last five meetings. The Cougars now lead the Stags 1-0 after both programs met for the first time.

Game 1 (7-0 W vs HCU)

Player Highlights

Ariel Redmond: 2-2, 2RBI, 2R, BB, SB
Kylei Griffin: 1-2, HR, RBI, R, 2BB
Ronnie Esparza: 2-4, R
Gigi Solis: 7.0 IP, 4Ks

Game Highlights

Houston knocked in seven runs off seven hits, scoring in each of the first three innings as well as producing a 3-run fifth inning.
Sophomore Ariel Redmond showcased her base running skills on the day, securing two runs off a fielding error and a walk with bases loaded in the first and second innings.
Senior Kylei Griffin cracked her first home run as a Cougar, launching a solo home run to deep left field in the third inning.
Redmond came back for more, tallying a single to shallow center field and bringing in freshman Shelby Taylor home for a 4-0 Cougar lead. Shelby made her collegiate debut as a pinch runner.
Sophomore Gigi Solis made her season debut, spinning four strikeouts in a complete game shutout performance.

Key Innings
3rd | Leading 2-0 entering the bottom of the third, Griffin wasted no time as she connected on the leadoff pitch to record her first home run of the season and fourth of her career to hand Houston a 3-0 lead. Freshman Ronnie Esparza followed with a single down the right field line before being replaced by Taylor as pinch runner. After a sac bunt from sophomore Isabel Cintron advanced Taylor to second, Redmond's single to shallow center brought Taylor home to extend the Cougar lead to 4-0.

5th | Houston put the game out of reach with a 3-run fifth inning. A sac fly from Redmond brought Esparza home followed by a two RBI single from junior Makenna Mitchell, driving in senior Gabby Rawls as a pinch runner from second and sophomore Madox Mitchell from first.

Game 2 (3-2 W vs Fairfield)

Player Highlights

Ariel Redmond: 1-2, RBI
Isabel Cintron: 1-1, R, 2B, BB
Madox Mitchael: 1-1, RBI, R, 2B
Nevaeh Brown: 4.0 IP, 5Ks, W

Game Highlights

Despite trailing by a run twice in the game, the Cougars came back with runs in the third and fifth innings.
Redmond notched her third hit of the day and first of the game, finding a single to shallow center field to score Taylor for a second-consecutive game, tying the game at 1-1.
Trailing 2-1 at the bottom of the fifth with two outs, Mitchael doubled to right center, bringing home Cintron from first base to level the game once again at 2-2.
Consecutive wild pitches brought Mitchael from second to third then home, giving Houston its first lead of the night at 3-2.
Sophomore Nevaeh Brown made her season debut, tossing four innings while striking out five to hold off the Stags and secure her first win of the season and fifth of her career.

Key Innings
3rd | Cintron started things off with a double down left field before Mitchael's sac bunt brought Taylor all the way to third base. Redmond's third hit of the day leveled things for Houston as she knocked an RBI single to square things up at 1-1 for the Cougars.

5th | Down two outs with a one run deficit, Cintron remained steady at the plate before earning a walk. Mitchael connected one the second pitch of her at bat, nailing a double in the gap to bring home Cintron from first and tie the game at 2-2. Two consecutive wild pitches would decide the game, as Mitchael advanced to third then home to put Houston on top, 3-2, for the team's first lead of the game.

UP NEXT
The Cougars close out the final day of opening weekend where they face Fairfield once again at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Cougar Softball Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
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