Friday, February 7
Houston
4 p.m.
University of Houston
1-0
8
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St. John's
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7
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H
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St. John's
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HOUSTON
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X
8
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Photo by: Erik Williams-Houston Cougar Ath
Comebacks Fuel Undefeated Start for Cougars
2/8/2025 1:46:00 AM | Softball
Houston posts back-to-back come-from-behind efforts to start season 2-0
HOUSTON – A pair of comeback efforts powered the University of Houston Softball team as it started the 2025 season with two wins to open the Easton Classic at Cougar Softball Stadium on Friday.
Houston (2-0) recovered from five-run deficits in both games of the day, including a thrilling seventh inning comeback in the nightcap to remain undefeated on the year.
GAME ONE – HOUSTON 8, ST. JOHN's 7
Entering in relief, freshman Maddie Hartley (1-0) earned her first career win, spinning two innings while allowing two runs on two hits. Loreley Fancia (1-1) took the decision for St. John's (1-1), ceding four runs (three earned) on four hits to Houston.
Player Highlights
Game Highlights
Key Innings
3rd | After taking the lead with a run in the top of the second, St. John's added to its edge with four runs in the third. Three singles in four at-bats pushed four runs across to put the Red Storm ahead 5-0.
Hartley put the Cougars on the board in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot to left, her first career blast and Houston's first homer of the season. Houston added another run in the frame as Mitchell scored on a single from sophomore Bethany Aguilar.
4th | After three walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, Mitchell continued her hot start to the year, plating a pair of runs with a double to right-center. Sophomore Kayley Prudhomme and freshman Ariel Redmond scored to cut St. John's lead to 5-4.
6th | The Cougars completed the comeback in the bottom of the sixth. After Prudhomme reached on a hit-by-pitch, freshman Brooke Wells doubled her home to tie the game. A second consecutive double off the bat of sophomore Mikalah Nitta pushed home Wells while Nitta scored on a third straight double, this time from Aguilar. Sophomore Reece Cammarn walked in the next appearance, followed by a single from Wilkins that plated Aguilar to put Houston up 8-5.
While St. John's attempted a comeback of their own, Hartley shut the door in her first collegiate appearance to earn the victory.
GAME TWO – HOUSTON 9, NEW MEXICO 8
In another relief effort, Hartley (2-0) picked up her second career win in her second career appearance. She twirled 2.1 hitless innings while allowing just one unearned run and striking out two. Mariana Tinari (0-2) took the loss for New Mexico (2-2) after allowing the decisive run and walking four.
Player Highlights
Game Highlights
Key Innings
2nd | After scoring an unearned run in the top of the first, the Lobos added another pair of runs in the second. With runners on the corners, DeNae Vasquez-Dickson pushed a run across with a single to left field. In the next at-bat, a ground out plated another run, giving New Mexico a three-run lead.
3rd | The Cougars opened the third with a pair of walks and an error that loaded the bases. Aguilar drove home her third run of the day with a single to right. A wild pitch to the next batter allowed Wells to score, and after a walk reloaded the bases, Prudhomme was hit by a pitch that forced home the tying run to even the score at 3-3.
6th | Entering the sixth with a four-run edge via a run in the fourth and three in the fifth, the Lobos added another on a wild pitch to extend its lead to 8-3 in the top of the sixth.
Houston answered in the bottom of the frame. With a pair of runners reaching on errors, a Wells single scored Redmond to cut the deficit to four. Nitta drove home another later in the inning, sending the Cougars to the seventh down by three.
7th | After Hartley allowed only one runner in the top of the seventh, Houston completed its second comeback of the game and third of the day in the home half. Back-to-back walks to open the bottom of the inning, followed by Wilkins singling home Cintron to make the score 8-6. Redmond cut New Mexico's lead to one with a groundout that plated Prudhomme and, another two walks later, Mitchell drew a third consecutive base on balls to tie the game.
Nearly walking it off on a fielder's choice where review showed New Mexico got the force out at home, Aguilar sent the home fans home happy, pushing home the winning run with Houston's sixth walk of the inning.
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue play in the Easton Classic tomorrow. After beginning the day with a 4 p.m. rematch against New Mexico, Houston closes the day with a 6:30 p.m. tilt against ULM.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
− UHCougars.com −
Houston (2-0) recovered from five-run deficits in both games of the day, including a thrilling seventh inning comeback in the nightcap to remain undefeated on the year.
GAME ONE – HOUSTON 8, ST. JOHN's 7
Entering in relief, freshman Maddie Hartley (1-0) earned her first career win, spinning two innings while allowing two runs on two hits. Loreley Fancia (1-1) took the decision for St. John's (1-1), ceding four runs (three earned) on four hits to Houston.
Player Highlights
- Makenna Mitchell: 2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI
- Bethany Aguilar: 2-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SB
- Maddie Hartley: 1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB
- Paris Lehman: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB
Game Highlights
- Houston is now 7-2 in season openers and 8-1 in home openers under Head Coach Kristin Vesely.
- The Cougars have won 8-7 four times in program history.
- Houston's comeback effort was the first five-plus run comeback for the Cougars since another five-run feat against Lamar on April 16, 2024.
- Five freshmen made their collegiate debut while two transfers made their Cougar debut in the game.
- Sophomores Makenna Mitchell and Jordee Wilkins recorded their first career multi-hit and multi-RBI games.
Key Innings
3rd | After taking the lead with a run in the top of the second, St. John's added to its edge with four runs in the third. Three singles in four at-bats pushed four runs across to put the Red Storm ahead 5-0.
Hartley put the Cougars on the board in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot to left, her first career blast and Houston's first homer of the season. Houston added another run in the frame as Mitchell scored on a single from sophomore Bethany Aguilar.
4th | After three walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, Mitchell continued her hot start to the year, plating a pair of runs with a double to right-center. Sophomore Kayley Prudhomme and freshman Ariel Redmond scored to cut St. John's lead to 5-4.
6th | The Cougars completed the comeback in the bottom of the sixth. After Prudhomme reached on a hit-by-pitch, freshman Brooke Wells doubled her home to tie the game. A second consecutive double off the bat of sophomore Mikalah Nitta pushed home Wells while Nitta scored on a third straight double, this time from Aguilar. Sophomore Reece Cammarn walked in the next appearance, followed by a single from Wilkins that plated Aguilar to put Houston up 8-5.
While St. John's attempted a comeback of their own, Hartley shut the door in her first collegiate appearance to earn the victory.
GAME TWO – HOUSTON 9, NEW MEXICO 8
In another relief effort, Hartley (2-0) picked up her second career win in her second career appearance. She twirled 2.1 hitless innings while allowing just one unearned run and striking out two. Mariana Tinari (0-2) took the loss for New Mexico (2-2) after allowing the decisive run and walking four.
Player Highlights
- Brooke Wells: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB
- Isabel Cintron: 0-1, R, 3 BB
- Maddie Hartley: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 R, 2 SO; 0-2, 2 R, 3 BB
Game Highlights
- Houston posted a program-record 13 walks in the game, fueled by three each from Hartley and freshman Isabel Cintron.
- Wilkins stole two bases in the game.
- Houston is 177-172 all-time in one-run games.
- The game lasted three hours, 40 minutes. It's longest since a three-hour, 55-minute contest at BYU last season and the fifth longest game in program history in duration.
- Houston has won four games in program history by a score of 9-8.
Key Innings
2nd | After scoring an unearned run in the top of the first, the Lobos added another pair of runs in the second. With runners on the corners, DeNae Vasquez-Dickson pushed a run across with a single to left field. In the next at-bat, a ground out plated another run, giving New Mexico a three-run lead.
3rd | The Cougars opened the third with a pair of walks and an error that loaded the bases. Aguilar drove home her third run of the day with a single to right. A wild pitch to the next batter allowed Wells to score, and after a walk reloaded the bases, Prudhomme was hit by a pitch that forced home the tying run to even the score at 3-3.
6th | Entering the sixth with a four-run edge via a run in the fourth and three in the fifth, the Lobos added another on a wild pitch to extend its lead to 8-3 in the top of the sixth.
Houston answered in the bottom of the frame. With a pair of runners reaching on errors, a Wells single scored Redmond to cut the deficit to four. Nitta drove home another later in the inning, sending the Cougars to the seventh down by three.
7th | After Hartley allowed only one runner in the top of the seventh, Houston completed its second comeback of the game and third of the day in the home half. Back-to-back walks to open the bottom of the inning, followed by Wilkins singling home Cintron to make the score 8-6. Redmond cut New Mexico's lead to one with a groundout that plated Prudhomme and, another two walks later, Mitchell drew a third consecutive base on balls to tie the game.
Nearly walking it off on a fielder's choice where review showed New Mexico got the force out at home, Aguilar sent the home fans home happy, pushing home the winning run with Houston's sixth walk of the inning.
UP NEXT
The Cougars continue play in the Easton Classic tomorrow. After beginning the day with a 4 p.m. rematch against New Mexico, Houston closes the day with a 6:30 p.m. tilt against ULM.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
− UHCougars.com −
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hartley, Maddie (1-0)
L: Francia, Loreley (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Jarrard, London 1 ; Thompson, Anese 1 ; Santos, Melanie 1
RBI: Konopka, Madison 2 ; Serafinko, Ana 2 ; Casto, Natalie 1 ; Macari, Celia 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Jarrard, London 1 ; Thompson, Anese 1 ; Serafinko, Ana 1 ; Santos, Melanie 2 ; Casto, Natalie 1 ; Stouffer, Cassidy 1
CS: Casto, Natalie 1
Batting:
2B: Mitchell, Makenna 1 ; Wells, Brooke 1 ; Nitta, Mikalah 1 ; Aguilar, Bethany 1
HR: Hartley, Maddie 1
RBI: Hartley, Maddie 1 ; Mitchell, Makenna 2 ; Wells, Brooke 1 ; Nitta, Mikalah 1 ; Aguilar, Bethany 2
SH: Nitta, Mikalah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Redmond, Ariel 1 ; Prudhomme, Kayley 2 ; Hartley, Maddie 1 ; Mitchell, Makenna 1 ; Rawls, Gabby 1 ; Nitta, Mikalah 1 ; Aguilar, Bethany 1
SB: Redmond, Ariel 1 ; Prudhomme, Kayley 1 ; Aguilar, Bethany 1
HBP: Prudhomme, Kayley 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
dh/p
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballP/INF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: Houston 5, Utah 2
Sunday, March 30
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, McNeese 6
Wednesday, March 26
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, Lamar 6
Wednesday, March 19
Cinematic Recap vs. Iowa State
Tuesday, March 11