HOUSTON – HBU senior rightfielder
Matt Heck blasted a two-run home run, then came on in relief for two perfect innings as the Huskies downed Houston, 3-1, in non-conference baseball Tuesday night at Schroeder Park.
Junior righthander
Brady Batten (2-1) allowed one run on three hits, struck out a career-high seven and walked two in seven innings for the win, then Heck retired all six he faced, including a pair of punchouts for his first career save.
Senior third baseman
Spencer Halloran went 2-for-4 with a double and scored a run for HBU (5-8), while senior first baseman
Jake Pulcheon went 2-for-4 and drove in a run.
Brayson Hurdsman (0-3) took the loss for Houston (5-6), giving up three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 2.1 innings. Joey Pulido shut the Huskies down, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing four hits, striking out eight and walking one.
Joe Davis hit a solo home run for the Cougars, while Rey Fuentes and Drew Minter each double for the only other hits of the game.
Halloran doubled to right-center with two outs in the first inning, then Heck launched an opposite-field shot to right to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead.
The Huskies loaded the bases in the third and scored when Pulcheon laid down a squeeze bunt, which turned into an RBI single.
Davis homered to right-center in the bottom of the sixth for Houston's lone tally.
HBU evened the all-time series against Houston, 4-4.
The Huskies return to action when they travel to face Louisiana in a three-game series Friday through Sunday in Ruston, Louisiana. Friday's opener begins at 6 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. first pitch Saturday and a 1 p.m. start for the finale Sunday. The Legacy Sports Network audio broadcasts with
Russ Reneau begins 10 minutes before each first pitch and are available on HBUHuskies.com.
