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Sports

Cougars' bats help bring down Lumberjacks

UH dominates home field with three runs in first inning, eight strikeouts 

by PATRICK FAIRMAN
The Daily Cougar

Two first-inning home runs, a two-run shot by senior Isa Garcia, and a solo bomb by sophomore Bryan Tully helped fuel a power-filled night at the plate for the 8-1 Cougar victory (3-2) at home against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (2-5). 

Pitching proved to be as much of a difference as the offense. The Cougar staff combined seven pitchers to allow for only one run to cross home plate. The most important factor proved to be the staff only allowed one walk, while striking out eight Lumberjacks. 

"The important thing was that our pitchers went in there and threw strikes," head coach Rayner Noble said.

Staring pitcher junior Shea Hancock (1-0) got his first decision of the year by throwing three innings of one hit ball. 

He picked up the victory because it was already pre-determined before the game that he would only be pitching three or four innings at most. During his work on the rubber, he only allowed one hit and one walk, while fanning two batters.

Sophomore Stephen Whalen made his Cougar pitching debut by throwing one inning of relief in the sixth while striking out two batters, one looking and one swinging.

"It was very good to see," Noble said.

Tully went 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, a pair of doubles and two runs batted in. 

"I am just going out there to do my best," Tully said. "I go up there to hit the ball as hard as I can."

Tully tied with Garcia and Brad Lincoln to share the lead for the day in RBIs with two each.

This victory climbs the Cougars back over .500 for the season.

"The more success you have each game, the more confidence will come from it," Noble said.

Having a big lead late in a game took the pressure off of the team to have to play perfect baseball. 

"It is nice to be able to relax; it takes the edge off of us," Noble said. "It was nice to be able to play more of the guys late in the game."

Defense was also a key in the game. Turning three double plays in the game helped in crucial situations when SFA could have started a rally. 

The only SFA run came in the fourth inning by a solo shot home run by Steven Hill.

SFA starter Russ Fornea (0-2) picked up the loss for SFA by lasting only three innings and giving up four runs. 

The Cougars next game is this weekend against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Arizona. 

"We have good confidence right now," Tully said. "Our bullpen really set the tone for us tonight by throwing strikes. We feel great heading into Arizona State."
 

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