HOUSTON, Texas – The Huskies fell to Houston, 10-0, run-ruling HCU through eight innings in the midweek matchup at Schroeder Park.
The Cougars grabbed an early lead scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. In the top of the second inning,
Parker Edwards reached on a walk before
Lane Sparks hit a two-out single down the left field line advancing Edwards to second base. A failed pickoff attempt moved Edwards and Sparks into scoring position before
Ty Hodge loaded the bases. A deep fly ball ended the Huskies chances to rebound early. When starting pitcher,
Jonathan Valdez, allowed three runs in the bottom of the second inning,
Jarek Wells took the mound to strike out Anthony Tulimero and end the second frame down 0-4. Wells pitched 4.1 scoreless innings when
Nolan Wilson replaced the righthander with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. With his first pitch, Wilson turns a 6-3 double play to retire the side. After striking out the first batter in the bottom of the eighth inning, Wilson dished back-to-back walks before
Brock Shoffner came in the game. Shoffner allowed a pair of walks sandwiched between a double to left center off the bat of the Cougar's, Jonathan French, before
Dave Wilson entered in relief. After dishing a swinging strikeout, the senior tossed two wild pitches and three straight walks to end the game and give the Cougars a run-rule through eight innings at 10-0.
The Huskies (13-21, 6-6 SLC) were held to just four hits. Sparks extends his hitting streak to nine games going 1-for-2 with a single. Hodge is on a four-game hitting streak and has a hit in seven of his last eight games going 1-for-3 with a walk. Leading the Huskies with 43 hits on the season,
Samuel Benjamin went 1-for-4 while Edwards went 1-for-2 with a walk.
Jonathan Valdez (0-3) was tagged with the loss pitching 1.2 innings to start the game, giving up four earned runs on six hits with a strikeout. Wells pitched 4.2 shutout innings of relief on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Nolan Wilson,
Brock Shoffner, and
Dave Wilson combined for 1.1 innings of relief with two strikeouts.
The Cougars (18-18, 5-13 Big12) were led by Coby De Jusus going 3-for-3 with a double, two runs and two walks. Jonathan French went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run while Justin Murray went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk. Dan Wright (2-0) earned the win pitching six scoreless innings to start the game with five strikeouts and two walks while allowing three hits. Chris Stuart pitched two scoreless innings of relief fanning one hit with a trio of strikeouts.
The Huskies will return to Husky Field on Friday-Sunday for a three-game conference series against Nicholls.
