The Cougars overcome a slow start to shut out Houston Baptist 5-0 at Cougar Softball Stadium.
UH managed only one hit and one run in the first four innings of the game. Holly Anderson scored that run on Haley Outon’s bases loaded walk.
Anderson reached base with a two-out walk. She advanced to second when Ashleigh Jones reached on a fielder’s choice. Melissa Gregson then walked to load the bases.
It wasn’t until the fourth inning that the Cougars received their first hit. Diedre Outon pinched hit and singled for designated player Sydney Gerbracht. Diedre later stole second base but was stranded there.
The bats finally came alive in the fifth inning thanks to Haley’s three-run home run. It was her 16th this season. The home run put Haley in third place in Cougar history for home runs in a season. She is just three behind Laurie Wagner who hit 19 in 2008.
Anderson extended her hitting streak to 15 games to lead off the fifth inning. Gregson reached on an error setting up Haley’s opposite field home run.
Bailey Watts dominated in the circle against the Huskies. She gave up only four hits which were spread out between four different innings.
Watts pitched the complete game shutout without allowing a walk, and struck out five.
She improved to 11-7 on the season and dropped her ERA from 2.48 to 2.19.
The Cougars have an important series this weekend against UCF. The two teams share a 12-6 conference record which ties them for third place.
UH will have to work hard in a short amount of time to be ready for the series.
“We need to make sure we are playing the best ball that we can,” Holas said.
“We don’t have a lot of time to prepare and we have a lot of work to do.”
The three game series begins with a doubleheader Saturday at noon in Orlando, Fl. The final game is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday.
