University of Houston
Memphis
Baseball Can't Hold Off Memphis, Fall 3-1
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 18, 2009
Millington, Tenn. - The University of Houston baseball team lost the second game of the three-game series 3-1 to Memphis Saturday afternoon at USA Stadium. With the loss, the series is even at 1-1 with the Tigers.
Michael Goodnight set the tone early for the game, even though it wouldn't end in the Cougars favor. He struck out the first three batters he faced in his initial appearance at on the mound. It was the first time in his career that he struck out the side and he became the first starter to do so since Jared Ray last season against McNeese State.
On the afternoon, Goodnight pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five hits, two runs and seven strikeouts. His seven strikeouts set a career high. Goodnights previous best were the six strikeouts he recorded against UT Pan Am on April 4, 2009.
Frank Corolla entered the game in the seventh to pitch 1.1 innings of the game, giving up three hits and one run. Chase Dempsay closed out the game striking out one batter while not allowing a hit or run.
Caleb Ramsey gave the Cougars their first chance to score in the fourth inning, hitting a double to right center field. He advanced to third on a single from Chris Wallace. William Kankel joined him at first base after being hit by a pitch and Ty Stuckey loaded the bases on a walk. But with two outs, Matt Murphy grounded out to second base to leave the three bases runners stranded to end the inning.
For the second straight inning, Houston loaded the bases in the fifth with two outs and left all three stranded on a ground out to second from Taylor White.
Jake Runte started things off for the Cougars in the seventh inning, reaching base on a walk and Blake Kelso followed that up reaching first on a fielder's choice, advancing Runte to second on an error by the pitcher. The pair would move into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Zak Presley. Runte eventually score the Cougars only run of the game on a Ramsey sacrifice fly.
The Tigers took the lead for the first time in the series in the bottom of the seventh inning. After putting two runners on base with one out, Chris Newsom hit a triple to right center field to give Memphis a 2-1 lead.
Memphis added to the score in the eighth inning, scoring one run to extend their lead to 3-1.
In the Cougars final at bat, Runte reached base on a walk in his second straight appearance at the plate but the Tigers prevented the Cougars from scoring and went on the even the series.
LOOKING AHEAD
Houston will conclude the series against the Tigers on Sunday at 1 p.m. Following the weekend series, the Cougars will play two mid-week games against Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday at Lamar on Wednesday at Cougar Field before traveling to Marshall for a three-game series on April 17-19.
