University of Houston Athletics
Saturday, May 16
Houston, Texas
1 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
Arizona State
Houston Falls in Season Finale
5/16/2026 5:11:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars come up short in rubber match against #22 Arizona State
HOUSTON – Houston Baseball wrapped up its 2026 season with an 8-3 loss to #22 Arizona State on Saturday afternoon at Schroeder Park.Â
Freshman Caden Cooper (2-3) took the loss on the mound, allowing two runs in 4.0 innings for Houston (24-31, 7-23 Big 12). Jaden Alba (3-2) earned the win for Arizona State (36-18, 19-11 Big 12) with 5.2 innings of work, where he ceded five hits and one run while striking out seven.
Â
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
NOTABLES
GAME SUMMARY
Houston struck first as redshirt Perez used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first to drive home senior Tyler Cox to put the Cougars up 1-0.Â
Â
The Sun Devils answered in the fourth inning to tie the game, then took the lead on a sacrifice fly in the fifth, holding a 2-1 edge. Arizona State scored another four runs in the sixth and runs in the seventh and ninth to take a seven-run advantage. While Houston cut into the deficit in the bottom of the ninth — as Perez scored on a wild pitch and freshman Blake Fields singled home senior Antonelli Savattere — the comeback effort came up short in an 8-3 decision.
Â
SUPPORT THE COUGARSÂ
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
Â
STAY CONNECTEDÂ Â
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB 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 Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
Â
Freshman Caden Cooper (2-3) took the loss on the mound, allowing two runs in 4.0 innings for Houston (24-31, 7-23 Big 12). Jaden Alba (3-2) earned the win for Arizona State (36-18, 19-11 Big 12) with 5.2 innings of work, where he ceded five hits and one run while striking out seven.
Â
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
- Xavier Perez: 1-2, RBI, HBP, SF
- Tyler Cox: 1-4, 2B, R
- Cade Climie: 1-4, 2B
NOTABLES
- Redshirt sophomore Xavier Perez posted his 60th hit of the season.
- Junior Riley Jackson recorded his 45th hit of the campaign.Â
- Perez recorded his seventh outfield assist of the year, tying for the national lead.
GAME SUMMARY
Houston struck first as redshirt Perez used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first to drive home senior Tyler Cox to put the Cougars up 1-0.Â
Â
The Sun Devils answered in the fourth inning to tie the game, then took the lead on a sacrifice fly in the fifth, holding a 2-1 edge. Arizona State scored another four runs in the sixth and runs in the seventh and ninth to take a seven-run advantage. While Houston cut into the deficit in the bottom of the ninth — as Perez scored on a wild pitch and freshman Blake Fields singled home senior Antonelli Savattere — the comeback effort came up short in an 8-3 decision.
Â
SUPPORT THE COUGARSÂ
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
Â
STAY CONNECTEDÂ Â
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB 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 Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
Â
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C/1B
/ Baseball
OF/1B
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballHighlights: Houston 13, Texas Tech 10 (11 innings)
Friday, April 03
Highlights: Houston 8, Texas Tech 6
Thursday, April 02
Highlights: Houston 9, #2 Texas 7
Tuesday, March 24
Highlights: Houston 11, UTRGV 3
Friday, February 20