After five scoreless innings in the second game, Texas got on the board in the top of the sixth when Desiree Williams singled and a UH throwing error enabled the Horns' MicKayla Padilla would score with no outs. Senior Angel Shamblin came in for freshman Baillie Lott and retired the next three batters.
In the bottom of the sixth, UH senior Amanda Grote and junior Haley Valis would reach first on a fielder's choice. Shamblin knocked in Grote with a single to center field to tie the score at 1-1. The Coogs loaded the bases, but would not score again in the inning.
The Longhorns battled back in the top of the seventh when Crystal Saenz hit a single, with two outs, over Valis' head, but the next batter would foul out to junior Laurie Wagner to end the inning.
The Cougars had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, but Nordstrom lined out to third base for the first out. Klinkert and Wagner hit back-to-back outs to end the inning tied at 1.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, with no outs, Raley walked and Jessica Valis singled. Junior Katie Bush single to load the bases and Nordstrom hit a walk-off grand-slam over center field to win it for the Coogs, 5-1.
Lott gave up only one hit, one run, and struck out zero batters in five innings of work. Shamblin got the win, giving up only two hits, one run and striking out two batters.
Game 1: Houston 6, Texas 0
The Cougars earned their first win over the Longhorns in a 6-0 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. Shamblin struck out 15 batters on her way to tying her single-game and school record.
Shamblin gave up only five hits in earning the shoutout.
Notes: The Cougar softball team also helped raise money in the fight for breast cancer at Wednesday night's "Striking out Breast Cancer" double-header against the Longhorns. During the games, there was a silent auction to raise money for the Houston affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Included in the auction were the players' pink jerseys and helmets worn during the two games. Throwing out the first pitch was breast cancer survivor and mother of Elaina Nordstrom, Veronica Nordstrom, as well as Dr. Rakhi Dimino, a local Houston doctor.
The Cougars will head to Fresno, Calif., this weekend for Bingham Toyota Bulldog Classic. Teams participating in the tournament include, Fresno State, Cal Poly, Sacramento State, Rhode Island, Santa Clara and DePaul. Houston's first game will be at 1pm on March 7 against Santa Clara.
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