Houston Downs No. 24 Arizona, 9-7, to Clinch Series

HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team defeated No. 24 Arizona, 9-7, on Saturday night at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.

With the win, the Cougars clinch the series and improve to 4-2 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 5-2.

KEY INNINGS
1st | After Arizona scored one unearned run in the top of the first inning, Houston responded with two runs in the bottom frame. Freshman second baseman Brad Burckel and junior third baseman Jared Triolo each singled to right field, with a throwing error on Triolo's play allowing Burckel to tie the game. Senior first baseman Joe Davis was intentionally walked, and two batters later after a double play, junior left fielder Tyler Bielamowicz plated Davis on a single up the middle for a 2-1 advantage.

2nd | The Cougars extended their lead with a three-run second inning. With two outs, sophomore right fielder Drew Minter and Burkel bookended a Kyle Lovelace single with walks to load the bases. In the next at-bat, Triolo hit a bases-clearing double into the left-center gap to push it to 5-1.

3rd | Bielamowicz tacked on another run with a leadoff home run in the third.

5th | The Wildcats added to more unearned runs in the fifth to make it 6-3.

6th | Junior shortstop Kobe Hyland tripled down the left-field line to leadoff the bottom of the sixth, coming in two batters later on a fielder's choice.

7th | In the top of the seventh, junior Bielamowicz robbed a home run by Arizona with a leaping catcher at the left-field wall. In the bottom frame, Houston scored two more runs, trading a double play for run and getting a RBI bunt single from sophomore catcher Kyle Lovelace for the other.

8th | Arizona cut it to 9-6 via a three-run home run in the eighth.

9th | The Wildcats plated one more in the ninth for the 9-7 final.

HOUSTON NOTES
Offense:
• Bielamowicz finished 2-for-4 with a single, home run, walk, two RBI and two runs scored. The home run was his second of the season, while his two hits marked his first-multi hit game of 2019.
• Triolo also turned in a 2-for-4 effort. The Austin native collected his third multi-hit game of the season, finishing with a single, double, walk and three RBI. The three RBI were his first of the year.
• Hyland legged out Houston's first triple of the season in a 2-for-2 effort. He also had a single, walk, RBI and two runs scored.
• Lovelace was 2-for-3 with two singles, one walk, one RBI and one run scored.
• Burckel and senior center fielder Grayson Padgett each finished with one hit, respectively.
• Davis drew two intentional walks, a first for Houston since Casey Grayson was issued two intentional walks at Oklahoma State on March 17, 2012.

Pitching:
• Senior right-handed pitcher Ryan Randel (1-0) tossed a season-long six innings in the win. The native of Aliso Viejo, Calif., scattered three runs (all unearned) on three hits with no walks and a season-best seven strikeouts. After giving up a leadoff single to open the game, Randel retired the next 13 straight batters he faced.
• Junior southpaw Tristen Bayless recorded a scoreless seventh inning, surrendering no hits and just one walk in four batters faced.
• Junior Devon Roedahl tossed the final two innings, issuing four runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

ON DECK
The Cougars go for the series sweep at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park. Fans should note the game time is a half hour later than listed on printed materials, as announced on Feb. 13. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.

PARKING IN 2019
Gameday parking is offered in a different capacity than in prior years. Anyone entering Lot 16B (across the street from right field) will be subjected to paying a third party company employed by campus. This lot will no longer be an option for free parking on gamedays. All other lots surrounding the stadium will be free of charge two hours prior to first pitch.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" UHCougarBB on Facebook.

JOIN DUGOUT CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Baseball program by joining the Dugout Club. To find out more information about the Dugout Club, visit UHCougarPride.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.

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