Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Sports

Houston takes series over Tulane 2-1

Bats cracked all weekend for Cougars with six home runs in opener, 18 runs for the series

by RONNIE TURNER
The Daily Cougar

If  UH senior outfielder Matt Weston had it his way, the Cougars would play Tulane every weekend. He and his teammates battered the Green Wave pitchers over the weekend at Cougar Field. Weston did his most damage in the finale of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon, batting 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs as the Cougars defeated Tulane 6-2, to win their third straight and fifth overall series of the season. 

"We swung the bats well today," head coach Noble said. "We had a lot of opportunities to really put this game away, and Weston finally put a charge into (a two-run homer in the seventh) that put the game out of reach. He's starting to do some things that he's capable of doing. He was a junior college All-American (at Mount San Antonio Junior College), and he's got that kind of pop in his bat. I think he's gaining a little more confidence each and every time he goes to the plate, and, boy, he produced this weekend." 

Weston's blast in the seventh gave the Cougars (21-14, 7-2 C-USA) a commanding four-run lead that they would not relinquish. It was a good series for Weston, who finished 5-for-10 with two home runs, a double and six RBIs. 

"It's good when I have success against Tulane, and hopefully I can carry that over to next week and we can start winning some games again and do good," Weston said. 

Freshman right-hander Luis Flores (3-2, 2.52 ERA) claimed the victory after going 7.1 innings and allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. Tulane freshman Stephen Porlier (4-3, 3.43) got the losing end of the decision after giving up four runs on four hits in only three innings. 

On Saturday night, Tulane (20-14, 3-6) took advantage of a poor outing by UH starter Ricky Hargrove and some timely hitting to take the second game 8-4. Hargrove (3-3, 2.82) gave up five runs on eight hits in only three innings of work. Tulane starter junior Brandon Gomes (4-4, 3.79) picked up the victory after barely surviving trouble, going 5.2 innings and allowing four runs on six hits. 

It was a different story on Friday in the series opener when both teams combined to hit eight home runs, but UH got enough long balls to take an 8-4 victory. The Cougars tallied six homers, receiving two apiece from Weston and junior Josh Stirneman. Junior Brad Lincoln (7-1, 1.68) went 8.1 solid innings for his sixth straight win, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits with nine strikeouts. 

UH will enjoy a day of rest before traveling to Lake Charles, Louisiana to take on McNeese State on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. 

Send comments to dcsports@mail.uh.edu