Mark Mayorga
Staff Writer
The Houston Cougar baseball team (18-14) will try for two in a row against Southwest Conference rival Texas, 7 p.m. today at Cougar Field.
In the first meeting between the two clubs on March 18, the Cougars came out on top, defeating the Longhorns in a 5-4 thriller in front of a record crowd of 2,202 at Cougar Field.
"Everybody on the team pretty much hates Texas," center fielder Mike Medrano said. "We want to get both games with them, because everyone is still bitter with what happened with them coming here last year."
Medrano was referring to the 14-13 heartbreaking loss to UT in Austin last season.
The Cougars are coming off of the weekend's series with Saint Louis, taking two of the three games. They are in the midst of winning eight of their last 12 and are chasing UAB for first place in Conference USA.
The Cougars will be sending lefty Alex Jackson to the mound. Jackson, who in his last start went a career-best seven innings and allowed only two runs, brings his 2-1 record and team-best 3.10 ERA to the table.
The Longhorns (12-17-1) have been struggling all year long, but with one of the toughest schedules in the country they are still a tough opponent.
The Longhorn pitching staff may be the problem, going a combined 12-17 and collecting an ERA of 6.74. With the pitching staff ailing, the Longhorns' offensive attack has been left the burden of picking up the slack.
Jason Aspito and Mark Cridland have tried to compensate with their .340 and .333 respective batting averages and a combined RBI output of 54 runs.
"Any time we play Texas, A&M or Baylor, you know it's going to be competitive," catcher Scottie Scott said. "I think if the offense can come out and swing the bats aggressively and we can get the same kind of pitching from Alex (Jackson) in the A&M game, we'll do fine."
The Cougars will need to avoid the errors and not surrender the big inning.
"We would like to get this W with the Horns," left fielder Brandon Caraway said. "It will probably be another big crowd and also be a momentum builder going into this weekend's series with UNC Charlotte."
With Tulane on the heels of the Cougars for second place in conference play, a win against the Longhorns could be a big boost as the Cougars will take on the 49ers in a three-game series this weekend.
Sunday:
Cougars 9
Saint Louis 0
On deck:
Cougars (18-14 overall, 7-2
C-USA) vs. Texas Longhorns (12-17-1, 1-7 Big 12) - 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cougar Field
*All home games are free to
UH students