May 16, 2008

Final Stats

HOUSTON - University of Houston senior Angel Shamblin pitched her second perfect game of the season to guide the Cougars to a 9-0 win over Delaware State in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Houston Softball Regional at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Houston (51-9), the No. 8 National Seed in the NCAA Championship, moved to 2-1 all-time in regional openers and 4-4 all-time in postseason play. Delaware State falls to 29-24 on the year.

Shamblin struck out 11 batters en route to the third perfect game of her career. She improves to 33-3 on the season with 17 shutouts.

The Cougar offense put up six runs in the second inning. Freshman Baillie Lott scored the first Houston run after reaching base on a walk. Junior Katie Bush hit her fourth double this season, scoring junior Jessica Valis.

Houston capped the inning with a grand slam from senior Amanda Grote to take the 7-0 advantage. The grand slam was Grote's second this season and the third of her career.

UH put up two more runs in the third inning and earned the five-inning win due to the run rule.

The Cougars advance in the winner's bracket to play No. 2 seed Washington at noon. The Huskies (29-23-1) knocked off No. 3 Texas 2-1 in the first game of the Houston regional.

UW's Ashlyn Watson hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh to lead the Huskies past the Longhorns. Pitcher Aleah Macon got the win after pitching four scoreless innings of relief. Starter Caitlin Noble gave up one run on three hits in three innings of work.

Texas (28-22-2) will face Delaware State in an elimination game at 3 p.m. Saturday. UT's Megan Denny pitched the distance in game one, giving up two runs off 10 hits in the loss. The Longhorns Loryn Johnson scored her squad's only run off a solo homerun in the third inning.

The winner of the Washington-Houston contest will advance to play at noon on Sunday. The loser will face the winner of the Texas-Delaware State game at 6 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game.

Single-session tickets will be available for purchase on www.UHCougars.com for Saturday and Sunday's games. The will also be available starting 1 hour prior to the first game at the Cougar Softball Stadium ticket windows.

Only cash is accepted at the Cougar Softball Stadium ticket windows. All seating at Cougar Softball Stadium is general admission. Adult single session tickets cost $10 and youth tickets are $7.