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Sports

Defense shows up against UT-Arlington

Musick earns first victory in more than two weeks

by RONNIE TURNER
The Daily Cougar

The Cougars' infield defense has been a sight for sore eyes lately, but may have been at its worst while committing five errors in a loss to Dallas Baptist on Friday.

That game convinced UH head coach Rayner Noble that defensive changes had to be made. So in the Cougars' final game in the Southwest Diamond Classic against Texas-Arlington on Saturday morning, Noble trotted out a significantly altered infield.

Junior shortstop Ryan Lormand, who committed two errors against Dallas Baptist, started at second base for junior Bryan Pounds, who moved to third base. Senior Dustin Kingsbury moved from third to shortstop, with senior Josh Stirneman remaining at first base.

The moves paid off with the Cougars only committing one error in an 8-3 victory over UTA at Dr Pepper Ballpark. In addition to the solid defense, Houston (6-6) received a solid pitching performance from freshman starter Wes Musick and efficient offensive production.

The victory was the Cougars' third win in the last four games, and one of the few complete outings they've put together this season. 

"The (win) against UT-Arlington was a little more like what we're going need if we're going to find our way to (NCAA) Regional play," Noble said.

Effective outings from the offense and defense gave Musick (2-2, 5.82 ERA) the support he needed to earn his first victory in more than two weeks. The southpaw went six innings and gave up only two runs on seven hits while striking out five batters.

Lormand provided much of the run support against UTA (4-7) by going 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs, but he won't be returning to shortstop anytime in the foreseeable future. Noble plans to continue his latest infield experiment for at least four to six more games, and that means Lormand, who's already committed eight errors, will have to adjust. 

"Ryan has just been so sporadic at shortstop, and we have to have steady play at (that position)," Noble said. "I think Kingsbury has a chance to give us that steady play that we need in the middle of the diamond, and by moving Ryan to second, it may give him a tad bit more time to gather his feet. Hopefully, we find a combination on that infield that clicks pretty soon."

The defense couldn't save the Cougars in their 7-5 loss to Dallas Baptist on Friday night. After Houston rallied to tie the game at 5 in the top of the eighth, Dallas Baptist loaded the bases against Cougar junior reliever Dereck Cloeren in the bottom frame. A fielding error by Pounds wiped out the Cougars' chances at a double play and allowed two unearned runs to score.

The miscue propelled the Patriots to victory and left Cloeren (0-2, 20.25) on the losing end of the decision. Dallas Baptist reliever Randall Taylor (1-1, 6.00) pitched the final inning and a third to earn the victory. 

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