Mark Mayorga
Staff Writer
The Houston Cougars are coming off back-to-back wins this weekend against Kansas and Central Florida.
The Cougars (3-7) will try to keep their streak going in their rematch with the Central Florida Golden Knights at 7 p.m. today at Cougar Field.
In Sunday night's victory, the Cougars dominated the Golden Knights as they scored nine runs on seven hits.
The Cougar pitching staff was outstanding, allowing only two earned runs. Senior Jon McDonald got the win as he went seven innings on three hits and surrendered only one earned run.
Central Florida head coach Jay Bergman has a lot of respect for the Cougars, especially for McDonald.
"You can't take anything away from Houston," Bergman said. "McDonald has got us the last three times we've met. That guy has got our number."
Cougar left fielder Brandon Caraway said Central Florida, a team which made the NCAA Regionals last year, will be a difficult squad to beat twice in a row.
"They will definitely come at us a lot harder," Caraway said. "I think were coming together. If we get good pitching and everyone swinging the bats, we'll do all right."
The Cougars will send to the mound freshman Kyle Crowell. The Friendswood High School standout will be getting his first collegiate start of the young season. Troy Satterfield, 0-1 in three appearances, will be the starting pitcher for the Golden Knights.
The Cougars, in the last two games, have been swinging the bats with authority.
Right fielder Eric Lee has shown signs of breaking out of his early season slump, contributing to a Cougar offense that has outscored its opponents 18-6 in its last two games. Lee raised his batting average to .259 over the weekend.
"I've had some friends give me an inspirational talk," Lee said. "It has really helped me. It has changed my attitude and made me think positive."
After their game with Central Florida, the Cougars will enter a three-game series with Illinois this weekend.
UH baseball update
Sunday: Cougars 9, Central Florida 4
On deck: Cougars (3-7) vs Central Florida (5-8)
7 p.m. today at Cougar Field
* All home games are free to UH students