The last time Houston played a 10-inning game was during the 2007 season when they defeated Utah Valley State, 1-0, at the Sun Devil Invitational on March 3 in Tempe, Ariz.
No. 13 Houston moves to 22-3 this season and 2-0 all-time against the Bulldogs.
Through four innings of the game, junior Katie Bush was the only player to reach base. She reached on errors in her first two at-bats but did not score either time.
The game continued to be a pitching battle through the sixth inning. Houston was unable to score despite having runners reach base on three Fresno State errors. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bulldogs would put two runners on first and second with two outs but senior Angel Shamblin would strikeout Jenna Cervantez for the third out, stranding the two runners on base.
In the top of the seventh, senior Laurie Wagner grounded out to third base and senior Amanda Grote popped out to second base. Junior Haley Valis struck out to end the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Shamblin retired the first batter despite falling behind in the count 3-0. The second out came on a grounder to junior shortstop Jessica Valis and Grote caught the final out in left field sending the game to the eighth inning.
After Fresno State pitcher, Morgan Melloh retired the first three Houston batters of the eighth inning; the Bulldogs' Andrea Ortega hit a single to centerfield with two outs. The Cougars escaped the inning after another fly ball sailed Grote's way for the third out.
After three quick outs for both teams in the ninth inning, Houston would finally get their bats going in the bottom of the 10th inning. Wagner started things off with a hard single past second base. Freshman Katy Beth Sherman would come in to pinch run for her. Grote reached base on a bunt and both runners would advance another base after an overthrow by the catcher to first base. With runners in scoring position and no outs, Haley Valis popped out to third base. Shamblin's sacrifice fly to right field scored Sherman, giving Houston the 1-0 advantage.
The one run would prove to be just enough as Fresno State would end the game on a groundout to second base and two strikeouts.
Shamblin pitched all 10 innings, allowing six hits, no runs, no walks and eight strikeouts.
Up Next
Houston will take to the road again on March 15-16 in their first league series of the 2008 season against Marshall in Huntington, W. Va. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 1pm. Houston will then play Virginia Tech at 5pm on March 18 and Ohio State on March 19 at 1pm.
For more on the Coogs, go to www.UHCougars.com.
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