Cougars Drop Series Finale

Sunday, March 29

Houston, Texas

12 PM

University of Houston

17-21, 1-11

UCF

28-10, 6-6

UCF

Houston

Photo by: ©Juan DeLeon Creative

3/29/2026 5:56:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Gore tallies first career homer; three Cougars record multi-hit performances in loss to UCF

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team fell in its Big 12 series finale, 22-8, against UCF at Cougar Softball Stadium on Sunday.

The Cougars (17-21, 1-11 Big 12) produced multi-run innings in the third and fourth innings, keeping the gap as close as three runs before the Knights (28-10, 6-6 Big 12) scored 11 in the seventh innings to extend their lead late.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:

Hailey Gore: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
Maddie Hartley: 2-2, HR, 4 RBI, R
Madox Mitchael: 2-4, RBI
Mandy Esman: 2-3, R, BB

NOTABLES

Freshman Hailey Gore produced a memorable first career start as she belted her first career homer with a three-run blast to left center in the bottom of the fourth.
Sophomore Maddie Hartley cracked her 15^th home run of the season with a three-run shot to deep left field in the bottom of the third inning.
Three Cougars tallied multi-hit games with Hartley, sophomore Madox Mitchael and senior Mandy Esman each recording two hits on the day.
Senior Gabby Rawls recorded her third hit of the season with a single to left field in the bottom of the second inning.
Hartley tied her career high in RBIs with four on the day, marking the second time she has done so this season (March 17 vs Texas State).

KEY INNINGS
1^st | With runners on the corners and one out, Hartley delivered a three-run belter to deep left field to cut the deficit to 6-3.

4^th | Following a hit by pitch and a single to get runners on first and second with no outs, Gore blasted a three-run homer to left center to 10-6. Three batters later, Hartley produced a single off the wall in deep center to plate junior Bethany Aguilar and cut the Knights' lead to 10-7.

UP NEXT
Houston begins a seven-game road trip with its first stop coming up in midweek action against Texas A&M – Corpus Christi at 4 p.m., Tuesday. 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 −

Cougars Drop Series Against UCF

Saturday, March 28

Cougars Fall to UCF in Series Opener

Friday, March 27

Cougars Drop Road Midweek to Lamar

Tuesday, March 24

PREVIEW: Cougars Set to Battle Lamar, Host #25 UCF

Monday, March 23

Next Event

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi

Mar 31 (Tue)

4 PM

Watch Live Stats History

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Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Vega, Isabella (12-4)

L: Brown, Nevaeh (8-8)

UCF

Batting:

2B: Rey, Samantha 1

HR: Humphreys, Sierra 3 ; Griffin, Ashleigh 1 ; Mertes, Izzy 3 ; Yarnell, Kendall 2 ; Damon, Beth 1

RBI: Washington, Destiny 1 ; Rey, Samantha 1 ; Evans, Aubrey 2 ; Humphreys, Sierra 5 ; Griffin, Ashleigh 2 ; Mertes, Izzy 5 ; Yarnell, Kendall 2 ; Damon, Beth 3

SH: Rey, Samantha 1

SF: Rey, Samantha 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Washington, Destiny 1 ; Rey, Samantha 1 ; Evans, Aubrey 4 ; Humphreys, Sierra 4 ; Kittleman, Taylor 2 ; Griffin, Ashleigh 1 ; Mertes, Izzy 4 ; Calvez, Zoe 1 ; Yarnell, Kendall 2 ; Damon, Beth 2