Baseball Remains Undefeated with Late Surge over Manhattan

Sunday, February 15

Ponce, Puerto Rico

8 a.m.

University of Houston

3-0

Manhattan

0-3

Manhattan

Houston

Photo by: Erik Williams

Baseball Remains Undefeated with Late Surge over Manhattan

2/15/2026 12:45:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Houston rallies in the eighth inning to break a pitchers’ duel

PONCE, Puerto Rico – A trio of Cougars shined on the mound while a pair of runs in the eighth inning served as the difference-maker as Houston Baseball defeated Manhattan, 4-2, on Sunday morning at Estadio Paquito Montaner.

While junior Alex Solis (1-0) claimed the win on the mound with 3.0 innings where he allowed one run on three hits and striking out four, both senior Ryne Rodriguez (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 R) and starter junior Richie Roman (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K) excelled on the bump for the Cougars (3-0). Redshirt senior Jacob Smoot (0-1) took the loss for Manhattan (0-3) after ceding two runs on two hits and three walks in 2.2 innings of work.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

Cade Climie: 1-1, 3B, RBI
McClane Helton: 1-3, 2B, RBI, R, BB
Jackson LaLima: 1-4, RBI, R

NOTABLES

Senior Cade Climie has hit triples in both of his seasons at Houston.
Houston has allowed just five runs through its first three games, its fewest ceded to open a season since giving up four in an opening weekend series against Villanova in 2016.
Eighteen players saw action today for the Cougars.
Roman posted his sixth career outing with 5-or-more strikeouts.

KEY INNINGS
3^rd | While Manhattan struck first with a run in the top of the first, Houston answered in the third. Senior Carter Sintek singled then advanced to second on a balk before sophomore McClane Helton used an automatic double to drive him home, tying the game at one. Redshirt sophomore Xavier Perez singled in the next at-bat to put runners on the corners and a wild pitch allowed Helton to score the go-ahead run.

7^th | The Jaspers retied the game in the seventh. A leadoff double off the bat of Colin Baseshore set the table for an RBI single later in the inning, evening the game at 2-2.

8^th | Houston went ahead for good in the eighth with a leadoff walk from junior Tre Broussard starting the inning. After Peyton Dickens entered as a pinch runner, a sac-bunt advanced him to second before the freshman stole third and scored on a single from sophomore Jackson LaLima. The Bradenton, Fla., native swiped second for the Cougars' second stolen base of the frame and came around to score on a pinch-hit triple off the bat of senior Cade Climie, giving Houston the 4-2 win.

UP NEXT
Houston closes play at the Puerto Rico Challenge with a noon CT, Monday, tilt against Washington. Washington, who plays tonight at 5:30 p.m. CT, has started the season 0-2 with losses to #21 Wake Forest, who the Cougars defeated 8-2 on Opening Day, and #17 NC State.

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