The Cougars took their first-ever meeting against Sacramento State in their first game of the day. Houston struggled to get their offense going but managed to prevail.
Junior Katie Bush started the game off for the Cougars scoring on a single by junior Laurie Wagner in the top of the first inning. Bush reached base on walk in her first at-bat of the game.
Sacramento State would tie the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the third inning. After reaching on a fielder's choice, Izmena Cabrera moved around the bases, scoring after a fielding error by junior Haley Valis at second base.
With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, senior Angel Shamblin hit a single over second base scoring pinch runner freshman Katy Beth Sherman and senior Amanda Grote to regain the lead. That would cap the scoring for the Cougars and they would hold on for the win.
UH senior Barbie Love (6-1) pitched the complete game allowing three hits, one run, no walks, and three strikeouts.
Houston 6, Cal Poly 3
In the Coogs' second game, it would take three innings for UH to get on the board. Senior Angel Shamblin doubled to right, then scored on a single by junior Katie Bush.
In the bottom of the sixth, junior Krista Raley was hit by a pitch and juniors Jessica Valis and Katie Bush would load the bases on two bunts. Junior Elaina Nordstrom drove in Raley and Valis on a single to right field. A single by freshman Jennifer Kilnkert scored Bush. After junior Laurie Wagner reached base on a fielder's choice, junior Haley Valis singled to score Klinkert. The final run of the inning came when senior Angel Shamblin hit a grounder past shortstop to score Wagner.
The Mustangs mustered only three hits during the game and the Cougars notched their 10th shutout of the season. Shamblin pitched the complete game allowing four hits, no runs, no walks, and 11 strikeouts.
The Cougars will be back on the field Sunday at 9am against DePaul and at 3pm against Fresno State for their final two games of the tournament.
Following the tournament, Houston will play a 5pm double-header against Fresno State on March 11.
Live stats for each game can be found by logging onto the Bulldog Classic Web site. A complete wrap-up of each day's action will also be available at www.UHCougars.com.
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