Cougar Softball Shuts Out Texas Southern 8-0

HOUSTON -- The University of Houston softball team slugged ten hits and posted eight runs to retire Texas Southern 8-0 in just five innings on Tuesday afternoon at Memorial Park in Houston. The win improves the Cougars to 10-18 overall and the Tigers fell to 10-17.

The Cougars scored a pair of runs in the top of the first for freshman starting pitcher Jenny Johnson and then exploded for six runs in the top of the third to increase the lead. Johnson, who recorded her second shut out of the season, allowed just 2 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 8 working 5.0 innings.

Offensively, Houston was paced by freshman shortstop Ali McDougall who smashed a three run homerun in the top of the third to make the score 5-0. McDougall has four homeruns this season. Riane Netardus also had a hot bat for the Cougars going 3-for-3 on the day.

UH will next travel to San Antonio on March 15 to take on Texas-San Antonio. First pitch of game one will be at 1:00 p.m. from the UTSA Softball Complex. The Roadrunners will be the Houston's last opponent before they begin conference action on March 24 against Louisville in Houston.

Bulls Sweep Georgia Southern

The South Florida softball team improved their record to 20-16 Tuesday with a double header sweep over Georgia Southern. The Bulls won both games in the last inning by only one run. South Florida won the first game 1-0 in the eighth inning, and posted a 3-2 comeback win in the second game.

In game on of the double header, the Bulls were held to only four hits, while pitcher Jessi Kowal only gave up one hit to the Golden Eagles. Three of the Bulls' four hits came in the bottom of the eighth inning when the Bulls were finally able to take the lead.

Rachel Williams got things started for the Bulls with a single into left field. Alanna Hazzard, running for Williams then advanced on a single by pinch hitter Nikki Phillips. Hazzard scored when the next batter, Rena Rodriguez sent a hard line drive to second, before the second baseman could react, the ball shot off of her glove and into right field. Although Hazzard was called out at home on the play, a ruling by the field umpire awarded Hazzard with home because of obstruction called on the shortstop.

In game two, the Bulls took a lead in the bottom of the third inning when Shelly Riker reached on a fielding error by the third baseman. Riker then was able to steal second base and score on a double to the left field wall by pitcher Jaime Anderson.

The Bulls were unable to hold on to this lead though, giving up a single run in both the fifth and sixth innings. Georgia Southern put their first run on the board in the fifth. Julie Peel led off the inning with a single. She was later moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Peel scored on an error, tying the game at one.

In the top of the sixth, Jaime Anderson gave up a solo homerun to left field, giving the Eagles a lead of 2-1. The Bulls weren't able to get anything done in the sixth, and had to go to the bottom of the seventh to see if they could pull out the win. With one out, Renee Oursler put down a bunt single, and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher. Oursler moved to third on a line drive single by catcher Priscilla Smith. With Hazzard in to pinch run, Georgia Southern pitcher balked, allowing Oursler to score, and Hazzard to move to second. Rena Rodriguez then singled to move Hazzard to third. Hazzard later scored on a ground ball to the pitcher. When the pitcher threw home, Hazzard collided with the catcher causing the her to drop the ball.

Jaime Anderson picked up her third win of the season, and only allowed five hits in the contest. The Bulls play Thursday in Clearwater at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.