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Sports

UH shows no mercy to a weak Central Florida 

by RUTHIE RODRIGUEZ
The Daily Cougar

The Cougars bounced back from last week's demoralizing shutout losses to Louisiana-Lafayette by notching a three-game sweep of Central Florida this weekend at Cougar Softball Stadium. 

Amazingly, the Cougars didn't allow a single run the entire series, outscoring their opponents 20-0. 

More importantly, the sweep leaves Houston (35-14, 16-2 Conference USA) a mere victory away from clinching this year's C-USA regular season championship. The Cougars currently lead second-place East Carolina by five and a half games.

"Coming out today and finishing (the sweep) just put another notch in our belt to secure (C-USA championship)," said UH head coach Kyla Holas Sunday following the Cougars' 7-0 victory in the series finale.

By winning their 16th C-USA game, the Cougars set a program record for conference victories. The previous high was 15 in 2003. 

The Cougars closed out the series in dominant fashion on Sunday. Sophomore shortstop Jessica Valis provided a huge blow with a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning that helped stake the Cougars to a 4-0 lead.

"We knew that we had to take a different approach and jump off right away and make (UCF pitcher Allison Kime) earn (a win) if she wanted it," Valis said. 

Junior right-hander Angel Shamblin dispatched the Golden Knights (32-21, 8-10 C-USA) easily in the finale. Shamblin (23-6) went the distance, allowing only five hits and striking out 11 batters in the complete game shutout.

"I felt better today than I have in a while," Shamblin, said. "Some pitches were really sharper than they have been in a while."

The Cougars picked up an identical 7-0 shutout victory in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

The Cougars started the game by loading the bases in the first inning. Valis led off the frame with a single, and sophomore centerfielder Katie Bush and sophomore catcher Elaina Nordstrom drew back-to-back walks. The Cougars went ahead 1-0 after sophomore third baseman Christa Raley was hit by a pitch.

Errors by the Golden Knights defense allowed Bush and Nordstrom to score. Sophomore outfielder Laurie Wagner capped the scoring with a two-run single down the left field line to give Houston a commanding 5-0 lead.

The Cougars set the tone for the weekend with a 6-0 win in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader. 

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