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University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
15-10, 0-3
Texas Tech
25-1, 3-0
Cougars Fall Against Texas Tech in Series Finale
3/7/2026 9:54:00 PM | Softball
Late comeback bid falls short after Red Raiders pull away with six-run seventh inning
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The Cougars (15-10) produced a late comeback bid powered by a four-run sixth inning to level the score at 6-6 before Texas Tech (25-1) supplied a six-run seventh inning to pull away late. Houston and Texas Tech battled through six innings, exchanging the lead twice times while tying three times throughout the day.
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PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
- Maddie Hartley: 1-1, HR, 2 RBI, R, 3 BB
- Shelby Taylor: 1-3, 2 RBI, 2B
- Ariel Redmond: 1-3, R, BB
- Madox Mitchael: 1-3, R, BB
NOTABLES
- Houston's six runs on the day are the most Texas Tech has allowed by any opponent this season.
- Leading off for the first time this season, sophomore Maddie Hartley erased a three-game home run skid with a solo blast to open the game, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead early.
- Hartley's early belter earned the Red Raiders' respect, as she was walked for a tied career-high three times on the day.
- Freshman Shelby Taylor continues to find her stride in recent weeks, making her fifth career start and recording her ninth hit in the last eight games with a double in the bottom of the sixth inning.Â
- With a single against Texas Tech on the day, sophomore Madox Mitchael tallied her 20th hit of the season.
KEY INNINGS
1st | Leading off for the first time this season, sophomore Maddie Hartley opened the game with a bang, cracking a solo shot to deep center for her 11th homer of the season to give Houston a 1-0 lead.
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4th | Trailing 2-1 with one out and runners at first and second, sophomore Madox Mitchael reached first on a fielder's choice. Junior Makenna Mitchell reached third on the play before a throwing error at second base opened the door for Mitchell to reach home and level the scoreboard at 2-2.
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6th | Trailing 6-2 after back-to-back multi-run innings by the Red Raiders, the Cougars loaded the bases on consecutive walks and a single from freshman Ronnie Esparza. Senior Mandy Esman took the first pitch of her at bat to the elbow, scoring a run to cut the deficit to three. Hartley followed up with a walk on a full count to add another run for the Cougars, before a Taylor double scored runners on second and third to tie the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth.Â
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UP NEXT
Houston will remain at home for midweek action against Lamar at 6 p.m., Tuesday before hosting another home Big 12 series against Kansas from March 13-15.
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SUPPORT YOUR COOGSÂ
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.
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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.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Terry, Kaitlyn (11-0)
L: Solis, Gigi (2-1)
Batting:
2B: Pannell, Taylor 1
HR: Williams, Mia 1 ; Quiroga, Lagi 2 ; Toney, Hailey 1
RBI: Lis, Jackie 1 ; Williams, Mia 2 ; Quiroga, Lagi 3 ; Pannell, Taylor 2 ; Toney, Hailey 3 ; Davis, Mihyia 1
SH: Halleman, Logan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Williams, Mia 3 ; Quiroga, Lagi 2 ; Pannell, Taylor 1 ; Spearman, Desirae 1 ; Allred, Lauren 2 ; Toney, Hailey 1 ; Davis, Mihyia 1 ; Terry, Kaitlyn 1
SB: Toney, Hailey 1 ; Terry, Kaitlyn 1
CS: Davis, Mihyia 1
Batting:
2B: Taylor, Shelby 1
HR: Hartley, Maddie 1
RBI: Esman, Mandy 1 ; Hartley, Maddie 2 ; Taylor, Shelby 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Esman, Mandy 1 ; Hartley, Maddie 1 ; Mitchell, Makenna 1 ; Redmond, Ariel 1 ; Mitchael, Madox 1 ; Torres, Kaitlynn 1
HBP: Esman, Mandy 1 ; Mitchell, Makenna 1
