Sophomore Shelby Miller served double-duty for the Cougars in the UNLV Classic as she played both third base and spent time on the mound for relief pitching. | File Photo/The Cougar
The Cougars were unable to upset the No. 14/16 California Bears in their final game of the UNLV Rebels Classic, falling 9-5 in Las Vegas Sunday morning.
The Cougars were able to put up 10 hits, but failed to string together a rally matching the offensive firepower of the Bears.
After two scoreless innings, the Cougars jumped out to a 2-0 lead following back-to-back RBI singles by junior shortstop Selena Hernandez and sophomore third baseman/pitcher Shelby Miller.
The lead wouldn’t last, though, as the Bears added five runs in the bottom of the frame on the strength of back-to-back homeruns and a 2-RBI double.
The Cougars were able to bring the Bears’ lead to 5-3 in the fourth after consecutive singles by junior first baseman Courtney Klingler and junior pitcher Julana Shrum put them in scoring position.
Senior Alexis Dunn, pinch-running for Klingler, was able to score when junior center fielder Katie St. Pierre reached safely on an error by the California catcher.
California was able to add four more runs in the bottom of the fifth off of Miller after she switched from third to pitcher, who finished with four runs on five hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Shrum got the start for the Cougars and was credited with the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits in three innings.
Overall, Houston took third in the tournament behind California and UNLV after going 3-2 last weekend.
Houston will look to bounce back from the loss Wednesday as they travel to Denton for a doubleheader against North Texas. Game One is set for a 4 p.m. first pitch, with a half-hour break in between games.
