Cougars claw back against Owls

The No. 19 Houston Cougars topped the cross-town rival Rice Owls in a low-scoring affair on Tuesday night by a score of 2-1.

On a night when offense came at a premium, the Cougars got it at just the right time as they scored two runs in the ninth to help them on to the win.

Senior starting pitcher David Longville started the game for Houston and pitched well in a relatively short outing.

Through 4.1 innings, Longville struck out two, allowed four hits and one earned run, but received a no-decision for the night.

The bullpen for Houston worked hard, as three relievers combined to keep Rice off the board.

Freshman reliever Aaron Fletcher came in the fifth and worked the Cougars out of a bases-loaded jam following Longville allowing the Owls only run of the night.

Junior reliever Patrick Weigel and sophomore reliever Marshall Kasowski combined with Fletcher to pitch 4.2 innings on the night, giving up no hits and no earned runs for their time on the mound.

In the ninth, Houston faced a 1-0 deficit, but received early help from a leadoff walk from freshman left-fielder Corey Julks.

The next two batters were retired by Rice, but some errors in the field for the Owls loaded the bases for Houston.

Junior right-fielder Kyle Survance was hit by a pitch, moving Julks across the plate to tie the game, before junior second-baseman Josh Vidales drew a walk, plating the walk-off RBI.

Kasowski was the pitcher on record for the night, receiving his first win ever in a Cougar uniform.

With the win, Houston improves to 36-17 overall, while also retaining the Silver Glove trophy for the second straight year.

UH looks forward to hosting conference foe UConn in their final regular-season action of the year, a three game series that starts on Thursday and the Cougars look to maintain possession of first place in the AAC.

 

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