Softball

UH captures second place in C-USA with series win

After taking two of three wins from Tulsa this weekend, UH is alone in second place of the Conference USA standings.

The teams were tied headed into the series at Cougar Softball Stadium.

The Cougars won the first two games in dramatic fashion as junior catcher Haley Outon had two game-winning hits to lift the team to doubleheader victories.

During the first game of the doubleheader, the Cougars never led until the final.

They trailed 3-1 in their final at bat before senior infielder Julia Pecina and junior shortstop Kendra Cullum drew walks, then freshman outfielder Katie St. Pierre’s single loaded the bases. Senior infielder Holly Anderson took the first RBI with a walk. With the bases loaded, Outon then came to the plate.

She delivered with a single to right center that gave UH a 4-3 victory. Outon said she has confidence in clutch situations.

“It’s pressure too,” Outon said. “But I’m just pleased that I got to do it for my team.”

In the second game of the doubleheader, Outon knocked the first pitch she saw out of the park, giving the Cougars a 3-2 win and taking the series. It was her 14th homer of the season.

The third game of the series was a pitcher’s duel.

Both teams had five hits in Sunday’s contest. UH sophomore pitcher Summer Groholski had four strikeouts in her fifth complete game. Tulsa pitcher Aimee Creger struck out eight, leading Tulsa to the 2-0 victory.

Softball head coach Kyla Holas said Creger mixed up her change-up and fastball better than she did Friday.

“She had much better command of her lower pitches. Yesterday, that was an issue for her and I thought she threw a lot more change-ups,” Holas said.

Outon said it was important to capture this series against Tulsa.

“It was important to get second (place in the C-USA standings), and try to work our way up to first heading into UAB, against a top 25 opponent,” Outon said.

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