Despite an early lead courtesy of junior first baseman Chris Iriart, and an almost-perfect performance by freshman left-hander Seth Romero, the Cougars fell 2-1 to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns on Sunday afternoon.
The Cougars drew first blood in the bottom of the first as Iriart became the driving force of Houston’s offense with his 15th homerun to left field.
The junior would go up to bat three more times, striking out on the third and tallying a single on the sixth and eighth inning.
Romero, however, was the most valuable player for Houston, as the freshman pitched a perfect game till he walked a batter the fifth inning.
“Got to tip your hat to Seth Romero,” said head coach Todd Whitting. “For a freshman to go out there and do what he did today was outstanding.”
Even so, in the bottom of the eighth with two outs for the Cajuns, Romero lost his no-hit bid with a single through into left field.
While Lafayette advances to the next bracket to play on Monday, Houston will play a second time on Sunday as they face Rice at 8 p.m.
The winner of Sunday’s game will advance to play the Ragin’ Cajuns on Monday.