Two Home Runs Propels No. 11 Softball to 7-3 Win Over Southern Miss
March 21, 2008
Houston -- The University of Houston softball team used two home runs in the second inning of the second game of a double-header to defeat Southern Miss 7-2 at Cougar Softball Stadium. Freshman Jennifer Klinkert and senior Angel Shamblin each recorded home runs for Houston's lone runs of the game. Klinkert's home run was her eighth of the season while Shamblin has two. No. 11 Houston moves to 27-4 and 5-0 in Conference USA. Houston is 20-11 all-time against Southern Miss. Klinkert got the bats going for the Cougars in the second inning. With the count full, the Chino, Calif., native knocked the ball over the left center fence to give Houston the early 1-0 advantage. After junior Laurie Wagner flied out and senior Amanda Grote struck out, senior Angel Shamblin followed Klinkert's home run up with one of her own to extend their lead to 2-0. In the top of the fourth inning, the Golden Eagles looked to tie things up and loaded the bases but the Cougars escaped the inning allowing just one Southern Miss run. UH loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning with three-straight walks by juniors Katie Bush, Elaina Nordstrom and Klinkert. With one out, senior Amanda Grote hit a double to center field scoring all three base runners. Grote would go on to score on a junior Haley Valis double to extend their lead, 6-1. Junior Christa Raley will continue the trend scoring Valis with a single to left field. Raley advanced to second on a fielding error by the left fielder. Southern Miss once again loaded the bases in the seventh inning but only came away with two runs and Houston was able to hold on for the win. Freshman pitcher Baillie Lott moves to 5-1 in the circle this season. She allowed seven hits, three runs, five walks and four strikeouts. Shamblin earned the save entering the game in the seventh inning to get the final three outs of the game. Houston will wrap-up the series on Saturday with a 1pm game against Southern Miss. Fans can follow the game through Gametracker by logging on to www.UHCougars.com.
|
