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

UH throws away game with Baylor

Loss snaps Cougars' four-game winning streak

by LOUIE VERA
The Daily Cougar

The Cougars were plagued by costly errors Tuesday night against Baylor in Waco, and in the end, were sent packing with a 12-6 loss that snapped the team's four-game winning streak. 

Clinging to a slim 4-3 lead after five innings, the Cougars ran into trouble in the sixth inning. With Baylor's Seth Hammock at second base and no outs in the bottom frame, UH sophomore reliever Chris Wright attempted to put the runner out at third on an attempted sacrifice bunt, but he threw the ball away into left field.

That allowed Hammock to score the tying run. Shaver Hansen later scored from third base on a wild pitch to give the Bears a 5-4 lead.

In a strange twist of events, the Cougars (15-13) replicated that same error in the seventh inning. With runners at first and second and no outs, freshman right-hander John Touchton mishandled a grounder on another sac bunt attempt, throwing the ball away into left field. That allowed Baylor to put four runs across that frame and increase its lead to 9-4.

Those two costly mistakes and some timely hitting allowed Baylor (17-14) to score nine runs over the final three innings.

Down 9-6 in the top of the eighth, the Cougars brought the tying run to the plate with two outs and runners on second and third. Baylor head coach Steve Smith brought in closer Nick Cassevechia who struck out freshman pinch hitter Chris Wallace looking on three pitches to end the threat. Cassevechia slammed the door shut on the Cougars in ninth to earn his fifth save of the season.

Wright (2-1) earned the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) off a hit and two walks in 1.2 innings of work.

Junior second baseman Ryan Lormand led the way for the UH offense. He finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two doubles. Senior first baseman Josh Stirneman chipped in by going 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

Once again, it was a winless night for freshman starter Donnie Joseph. The left-hander pitched well after giving up two runs in the first inning.

Joseph tossed 4.1 innings and gave up three runs on six hits and a walk. After 11 appearances, he still has yet to record a decision.

Send comments to dcsports@mail.uh.edu