Murray, Howard Pace Cougars; Trio Homer to Finish Sweep

HOUSTON – For the first time since 1997, the Houston Cougar baseball team scored seven or more runs in each of its Opening Weekend games, blanking Binghamton 7-0 on Sunday at Don Sanders Field at Schroeder Park, for its first season opening sweep since 2021.

The Cougars (3-0) held onto a 2-0 lead from the third inning until the eighth when Houston's bats exploded for three home runs in the eighth. Senior first baseman Justin Murray provided the offense in the first and third innings, doubling in the first to score senior shortstop Jake Rainess and then singling in the third inning to plate senior left fielder Cary Arbolida.

Houston's starting pitcher, senior Duncan Howard (1-0) showcased why he was a three-year starter at Presbyterian by striking out five Bearcats (0-3) over five innings while not allowing a walk and giving up just three singles. Howard and relief pitchers Brenden O'Donnell, Cade Citelli and Diego Luzardo combined for 11 strikeouts and no walks. It was the second 10+ strikeout–no walks game for the Cougar pitching staff this season.

Senior third baseman Alex Lopez started the home run parade in the eighth with a solo blast to right field. Three batters later, pinch hitter Ace Reese clubbed a 397-foot home run to right field for his first collegiate home run to plate two more runs. Two batters later, senior second baseman Harold Coll homered to left field scoring two more Cougars.

By striking out the side in his collegiate debut, Luzardo joined Murray (Friday night) as the second Houston pitcher to finish a game this season by striking out the side in the ninth.

UP NEXT
Houston will host Prairie View A&M on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. for $2 Tuesday at Schroeder Park in the team's first midweek game of the season. The first 50 students will get free hot dogs and sodas are just $2 at the concessions stands and tickets are $2 at the ticket office. To purchase tickets to the game, click here. The game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

BUY TICKETS
Don't miss any of the action, purchase your single-game tickets to any of the 34 Houston Cougar baseball games inside Schroeder Park by clicking here.

PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS
The 2024 baseball season is set to be the biggest one yet, with four 2023 NCAA Regional teams set to play at Don Sanders Field at Schroeder Park in a 34-game home schedule including five Big 12 Conference home series. Click here to buy new season tickets as low as $136 per seat ($4 per game).

Ready to renew your season tickets? Click here to ensure you don't miss any of the action during the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference in the same great seats!

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Can't make all 34 games this season? No problem, buy a flex plan and pick which games you want to attend in 2024 (excluding the Texas series April 12-14 – flex plan game selection begins in January).

SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
 
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