Sports

Coogs ride the Wave

By Emily Davis
The Daily Cougar

Thereis just something about a Tuesday game that is unsettling. Maybe itis the minuscule mid-week crowd. Maybe itis the seemingly unchallenging opponent that is usually scheduled.

Or maybe itis just the sight of a second-string pitcher that most arenit used to.

Whatever the reason, the Cougars handled themselves well when they spent their Tuesday night pounding the life out of Southwest Texas.

Maybe thatis what was unsettling. No one likes to see a Bobcat get pounded, right?

UH does, especially when a 14-6 win is its fourth in a row and comes just in time for a Conference USA showdown with Tulane in New Orleans.

"We need wins going into New Orleans," said junior pitcher Gene Flores, who started against SWT but did not factor into the decision. "Conference games are always another story, and Tulane is tough."

But UH hitters might just be a little tougher, especially with junior Hyung Cho leading the way. Cho leads the team in every hitting category -- .379 average, seven home runs, 24 RBIs, 50 hits and 27 runs -- and went 4-for-5 with two home runs, two doubles, four RBIs and five runs Tuesday. 

"Our hitters are strong," assistant coach Sean Allen said. "They look good in the games and in practice. We improve with each game, and we should."

But the Green Wave have some heavy hitters of their own. After dropping a conference series to Charlotte 2-1 last weekend, Tulane has five players batting over .300, including Michael Aubrey (.477, 8 HR, 46 RBIs) and Jonny Kaplan (.371, 5, 27), who had a hit and a run Saturday.

With a month left in the regular season, the C-USA standings are beginning their usual flip-flop routine. 

Tulane, 6-6, is three games behind UH and Southern Miss, who are tied for first place at 9-3. The Green Wave is coming off a loss to Charlotte, which is a half-game behind at 5-6.

The Cougars surged into the top spot with a sweep of Alabama-Birmingham last weekend.

USM will play none other than Charlotte on Friday.

"The season is quickly gaining momentum," Allen said. "Our offense has gotten over its struggles just in time. The teams are beginning to battle for position, so we have to keep fighting."

After this weekend's series, the Cougars will return home for their final game against Rice on April 16 before hosting Saint Louis on April 18.

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