Cougar sports services
A seven-run eighth inning for the Memphis Tigers denied a sweep from the Houston Cougars baseball team in Memphis Sunday.
The Cougars beat UM 9-2 Friday and 7-5 Saturday before falling 8-2 Sunday.
Houston (28-14 overall, 14-4 Conference USA) had five errors and three unearned runs in the loss.
UH pitcher Scott McLeod gave up only one run in the first seven innings, but the Tigers (13-23, 6-11) came out swinging in the eighth, knocking McLeod out of the game and scoring two more earned runs on reliever Mark Manbeck before he was able to close out the inning.
Down 8-0 in the top of the ninth, Cougars third baseman Dustin Carr and center fielder Geofrey Tomlinson both scored to avoid the shutout. UH left 13 on base in the loss.
Memphis starter Russ Bratton scattered four hits and eight walks in six and two-thirds innings, allowing no runs.
Fortunately for the Cougars, C-USA foe Southern Miss lost one of three against Saint Louis to remain one game back in the standings.
In Saturday's win, Tomlinson hit 2-for-5 with a home run and had three RBI as Houston never trailed.
After the Tigers scored two in the bottom of the eighth to pull within one, Tommy Marik came in and gave up no more runs in the final one and two-thirds innings to pick up his third save of the season.
Friday, the Cougars hammered Memphis starter Chad Harville for six runs in the first two innings en route to a blowout.
In six innings of work, UH starter Shane Nance allowed six hits, two earned runs and walked six while striking out four. Reliever Duncan McAdoo picked up his first save of the season, giving up one hit, no runs and no walks in three innings while striking out three.
Houston catcher Bruce Rios had three RBI on two hits and Shaun Skrehot hit his first home run of the season.
For the series, Tomlinson hit 4-for-8 for five RBI, scored four runs and drew six walks.
Third baseman Dustin Carr hit 6-for-13 in the three games, but had three errors in the loss Sunday.
UH continues to lead the conference with three, three-game series left with league opponents.
The Cougars take on Texas-San Antonio Tuesday and Sam Houston Wednesday at Cougar Field before taking to the road to face the Tulane Green Wave Friday through Sunday in New Orleans, La.