Sports
 

UH steals Game 1 vs. DePaul

Cougar Sports Service

The Cougars found something significant in the Windy City this weekend -- their bats, their defense and their confidence.

After searching desperately last weekend for an inkling of hope against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, the Cougars' offense wasted little time Saturday stealing the squad's first ever victory against the DePaul Blue Demons, a 9-1 win in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

The Cougars fought through the rest of the series, giving up close losses in the final two games, and upping their overall record to 25-16 and their Conference USA record to 4-5.

Despite building a 4-0 lead early on Sunday, the Cougars fell to the Blue Demons 5-4 in nine innings. Houston put points on the board during the first inning for the third game in a row thanks to a two-run home run smashed over the left field fence by junior Kristen Glowacz. 

Sophomore Brandi Clark added a run by pushing junior Jenilee Skender across the plate with a two-out double.

The fourth run was added in the third inning by sophomore Brook Johnson, who singled and scored senior Arelis Ferreris. The Cougars failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities in the extra innings, however, leaving their bases loaded in both frames.

A ground ball error in the bottom of the ninth by freshman Jamie Adams helped DePaul grab the win.

The Blue Demons closed the gap in the sixth inning to 4-3 and tied the game in the seventh with a two out home run by DePaul's Suskia Roberson. 

Senior pitcher Jenny Johnson gave up just one hit and no earned runs during two innings, taking the loss for Houston. Senior starter Jamie Falco pitched six and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and giving up three runs on four hits.

The Lady Cougars lost the second game of Saturday's doubleheader 6-5, but they had already slapped the Demons with a loss. Falco earned the win, pitching a complete game three-hitter with two strikeouts. Also during Game 1, Skender blasted her fourth home run of the season to lead off the fourth inning, giving Houston a 5-1 lead. In a phenomenal fifth inning the Cougars had four runs on four hits to beat DePaul, 9-1.

The Cougars play next against UAB on Friday afternoon in Birmingham, Ala. The doubleheader will start at 5 p.m. with Saturday's game beginning at 1 p.m.

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