Three home runs pace Houston to 17-3 win over East Carolina

Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2017) The No. 14 Houston Cougars tallied home runs in the second, third, and fifth innings to lay the foundation for a 17-3 win over the East Carolina Pirates at Schroeder Park in Houston on Friday, April 7, 2017. The win pushed the Cougars to 21-8 for the season and raised their conference record to 2-2. The first home run was a three RBI shot by designated hitter Joe Davis, in the second inning was his second of the season. Catcher Conner Wong knocked his round tripper in the third inning, his fourth of the season was also a three run shot. The fifth inning saw Conner Hollis knock his home run over the left field fence. It was the first home run of the season for the startiing second baseman.

The Cougare scored their 17 runs on 13 hits, with seven of the runs coming in the second inning. Right fielder Corey Julks extended his current hitting streak to 13 with a single in the third inning. Jake Scheiner, who was selected at the National Player of the Week (March 20), was 2-for-3 with a single and a double; raising his batting average to a team-leading .407. Starter Trey Cumbie was credited with the win, his fifth of the season. The left-hander from Lufkin, Texas, pitched a solid seven innings, throwing 101 pitches to 31 batters, while striking out six. Jake Agnos, pitching 2/3 of an inning received the loss.

The Cougars and Pirates will continue the three-game weekend series on Saturday, April 8 with a 1 p.m. first pitch.

Pirates Down Houston Baseball 12-2 In Seven Innings

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 23, 2011) The University of Houston baseball team lost its series finale against the East Carolina Pirates, 12-2, in seven innings Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field. With the loss, Houston drops the series against the Pirates,1-2.

Houston now stands at 20-21 on the season and 7-5 in Conference USA play.

Junior Mo Wiley fell to 2-2 on the mound, giving up three runs on four hits in 3.2 innings. The Cougars then used six relief pitchers to close out the contest.

Sophomore Chase Jensen finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Senior Caleb Ramsey and junior Matt Creel each added two hits for Houston.

East Carolina leadoff batter Ben Fultz got the Pirates off to a quick start with a home run to right field to start the game.

Trent Whitehead then put the Pirates up 3-0 in the fourth inning with ECU’s second home run of the game. He would score Zach Wright on the play after he reached base on a single to right field. With two outs, freshman Travis Jenkins would enter the game in relief, walking his first batter before giving up a double to the left field corner that allowed the base runner to score.

Jensen answered for the Cougars in the bottom of the fourth inning. He led off with a single to left field, moved to second on Shawn Armstrong’s balk and advanced to third on sophomore M.P. Cokinos’ fly out to center field. Junior John Cannon’s groundout to the shortstop would allow Jenson to score and the Cougars to pull withinthree of the Pirates, 4-1.

The Pirates would pull away in the fifth inning, scoring six runs, including two home runs, to take a 10-1 lead. The Cougars scored their final run in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Ramsey doubled down the left field line and scored onJensen’s single to right center field.

East Carolina would seal the win and close out the game, scoring two runs in the sixth inning.

The Cougars will have a busy week ahead of them, as they will play five games on the road next week. The week begins at Stephen F. Austin at 3 p.m. Tuesday and continues against Lamar at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Following the midweek action, Houston will travel to Orlando for a three-game series against UCF, April 29-May 1.

Jordan Lewis Strikes Out 10 As Cougars Even Series With East Carolina

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 22, 2011) Junior Jordan Lewis struck out 10 batters and allowed just one earned run to guide the University of Houston baseball team to a 4-2win over East Carolina Friday night at Cougar Field.With the win, Houston tied the series with the Pirates 1-1, with the finale set for 1 p.m. Saturday.

Lewis pitched seven innings to improve to 4-1 on the mound. He gave up two runs, one earned, on five hits to go along with his 10 strikeouts. Junior Jordan Mannisto collected his third save, pitching the final two innings of the game.

At the plate, senior Caleb Ramsey was 2-for-4, while sophomore Chase Jensen tripled and scored a run.

“I’ve said all along that this is a resilient team,” head coach Todd Whitting said. “We’ve lost four games this year; probably the hardest you can lose them. Every time we have lost a game, either on a walk off or in the last inning, the team has come back and responded. The team is really good at flushing things and moving on to the next game.”

Houston traded runs with the Pirates in the third inning. After giving up an unearned run on a Lewis error, Ramsey singled to center field, allowing freshman Landon Appling to score from first base.

In the fourth inning, Sophomore M.P. Cokinos singled up the middle and junior John Cannon put runners on first and second base with a walk. Junior Matt Creel moved the runners into scoring position before junior Codey Morehouse’s bunt down the first base line gave Cokinos the chance to score.

Leading 2-1,Jensen helped the Cougars add to their lead with a triple to left field. With runners on the corners he would score on Cannon’s sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning

After a double to lead off the seventh inning, Morehouse would give UH its final run total, scoring on senior Ryan Still’s sacrifice fly to left field.

The Pirates closed out the game with a run in the eighth inning.
Houston will close out the series against East Carolina on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

UH Baseball Falls To East Carolina, 5-4, In 12 Innings

HOUSTON, TEXAS (Apeil 21, 2011) The University of Houston baseball team gave up three runs in the ninth inning, allowing the East Carolina Pirates to earn a 5-4 comeback win in 12 innings in the series opener Thursday night at Cougar Field.

With the loss, Houston falls to 19-20 on the season and 6-4 in Conference USA play.

UH held a 4-1 lead when Chase McDonald began a three-run rally with a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Back-to-back singles put two runners on base before Ben Fultz tripled to right center to tie the score, 4-4.

The score remained tied until the 12th inning when Trent Whitehead singled to left field, allowing Jack Reinheimer to score after leading off the inning with a walk.

In his first appearance on the mound since the 2009 season, junior Jared Ray pitched four solid innings. He gave up one run on three hits with a strikeout.

Sophomore M.P. Cokinos had a successful day at the plate, connecting on two hits with two RBIs. Junior John Cannon added two hits and scored a run.

After the Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, Cannon tied the score in the fifth on a wild pitch by ECU pitcher Mike Wright.

The Cougars took control of the game in their next at bat. With the bases loaded, Cokinos doubled to left field and Fultzmishandled the ball allowing three runs to score and the Cougars to take a 4-1 lead.

The series against East Carolina will continue at 6:30 p.m. Friday with the finale against the Pirates scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.

Houston Cougars Women's Basketball Moves To 20-4 On The Season; Downs ECU 77-60

(Photo by Robert H Kelly-TexSport Publications, Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.)

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 13, 2011) With four players scoring in double digits, the Houston Cougars (20-4, 11-0 C-USA) downed a stubborn East Carolina team 77-60 in Conference USA women’s basketball action at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Led by Brittany Scott’s 20 points and five rebounds, the Lady Cougars started slow, scoring only nine points in the first nine minutes of the game. They fell behind 11-9 at the 11:18 mark of the first half, but quickly tied the game 11-all with 9:35 left in the first half.

From that point, it was Houston all the way; leading 36-27 at the half while building on their lead in the second half.

The Cougars had three other players in double digits; Porsche Landry with 16, followed by Lesslee Mason with 12 and Jasmine Johnson with 11.

Mason scored her fifth double-double of the season with her 12 points and 11 rebounds. He last double-double was against SMU on Jan. 30.

Houston out-total rebounded ECU 49-41 and also led them on both the offensive side (15-11) and on defense (34-30).

The Pirates were led by Ashley Clark with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Cougars will next face Tulsa on the road on February 17 with a 7:30pm start before returning to the friendly confines of Hofheinz Pavilion on February 20 for a 2:00pm game with UTEP.

Houston Cougars Face East Carolina in C-USA Women's Basketball Action

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 13, 2011) With a 1:45pm CT start at Hofheinz Pavilion on the campus of the University of Houston, the Houston Cougars women's basketball team
(19-4, 10-0 C-USA) face the East Carolina Pirates (11-12, 5-5 C-USA).

The Cougars and Pirates are meeting for the 10th time since 2002, as Houston
holds an 8-1 advantage in the series. The Cougars are 4-1 against East Carolina
at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Houston improved to 10-0 in Conference USA action with a 71-51 victory against
Rice on Thursday, marking the best-ever start in league play.

The Cougars have jumped out to the second-best start in school history at 19-4
overall.

Courtney Taylor was named the C-USA Player of the Week for the fourth time this
season after posting 21 points and 18 rebounds at Tulane.

Taylor set the all-time Houston rebounding record (1,012) at UAB on Jan. 20. Taylor
has posted 15 double-doubles this season to push her career total to a school record
55, which also ranks fourth in C-USA history.

Taylor currently places fourth nationally in double-doubles and fifth in rebounds per game (12.1).

Brittney Scott surpassed Houston great Chandi Jones as the all-time 3-point shooter at UAB on Jan. 20.

Scott looks to make her 85th-consecutive start on Thursday, which dates back to the beginning of the 2008-09 season.

UH-East Carolina Football: Half Time Update

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA (December 5, 2009) With rain beginning to fall to begin at the second half at the 2009 Conference USA Football Championship Game, Houston has jumped out to a 19-14 lead over East Carolina.

Houston QB Case Keenum broke the C-USA championship game record for completions in the first half with 31. His 31-of-37 for 289 yards and three touchdowns. The three TD passes match the C-USA Championship Game record.

James Cleveland has rocked the first half for the Cougars, shattering the C-USA Championship Game record for receptions with 11 in the first half (for 140 yards and two scores). The old record was eight, held by Tulsa's Garrett Mills (2005) and Houston's Vincent Marshall (2007).

Dominique Lindsay and Giavanni Ruffin each have rushing touchdowns for East Carolina.

University of Houston vs. East Carolina: C-USA Championship Preview

HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 3, 2009) The Houston Cougars travel to Greenville, N.C. to play East Carolina at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. Coach Sumlin and UH players talk about the matchup and the road to the C-USA Championship Game.

Action Continues on Day 3 of C-USA Swimming and Diving Championships

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 29, 2008) The 2008 Conference USA Women's Swimming & Diving Championship and Invitational continued on Friday evening at the CRWC Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston with SMU turning in another record breaking day. The Mustangs set four new meet and pool records, recorded four one-two finishes and set nine career and two season bests to extend their lead in the team standings. Marshall also highlighted day three when the Herd won its second individual event since joining the league in 2005-06.

SMU closed the evening with its fourth one-two finish when senior Anja Carman out-touched junior Petra Klosova to set a new meet and pool record in the 100-yard backstroke. Carman's time of 53.38 broke the previous record by almost two seconds and was good for an NCAA `A' qualifying time. Klosova was also ahead of the previous record and touched the wall in 54.67, an NCAA `B' consideration. Nan Liu of invitational member Northern Colorado grabbed third with the NCAA `B' time of 55.57.

Marshall claimed its first event win of the championship when senior Micheala Sceli posted an NCAA `B' time of 1:02.03 to win gold in the 100-yard breaststroke. Her mark was a school record and the win marked just the second individual win for the Herd since it joined the league in the 2005-06. Sceli holds 17 of MU's all-time top 20 times in the 100 breast.

SMU sophomore Devon Callaghan was just out-touched by Sceli and took second in 1:02.09. Her mark was also good for NCAA `B' consideration. East Carolina freshman Stephanie Harper claimed third place in 1:03.86.

The swimming resumed after the men's 3-meter diving event with another SMU victory. Twin sisters Jennifer and Candace Blackman had a one-two finish in the 200-yard freestyle with Jennifer taking the win in a meet and pool record time of 1:45.52 for NCAA `A' consideration. Candace's second place time of 1:47.09 was also an NCAA `A' mark. Junior Sasha Schwendenwein of Houston placed third in a school record time of 1:47.55, good for NCAA `B' consideration.

Event number four featured another Mustang one-two finish that saw both swimmers down the previous meet and pool record. Senior Angela San Juan Cisneros took gold in 53.65 an NCAA `A' mark and a new record. San Juan Cisneros broke Ann Degenstein's previous record of 54.41. The mark was one of the few still held by a former league member. SMU freshman Elzanne Werth took second in 53.81, while NCU's Liu claimed third in 54.80. Both marks were NCAA `B' qualifying times.

The Mustangs finished one-two once again in the 400-yard individual medley, as both junior Jennifer Basel and freshman Maroua Mathlouthi finished faster than the previous meet and pool record. Basel touched the wall in an NCAA `B' time of 4:17.29, to set the new meet and pool record. Mathlouthi was just behind in 4:18.14, also good for NCAA `B' consideration. Former record holder junior Andrea Pa'lmai of Houston took third in 4:21.67. Her time was also faster than the record she set last season and made the NCAA `B' cut.

The second event of the night was the women's 1-meter diving competition. Houston regained its dominant form and swept all three places to grab 53 points. Three-time C-USA Diver of the Week freshman Courtney Forcucci grabbed the gold, scoring 287.15 points. The mark was good for NCAA `A' consideration. Senior Ginni van Katwijk came in second with 284.30 points, while Lacey Truelove totaled 279.85 points. Both times were also NCAA `A' qualifying marks.

Britney Yancey (272.25) of SMU, last evening's 1-meter champion, and teammate Audra Egenolf (269.45), finished third and fourth, respectively. Both of their marks were also NCAA `A' considerations.

SMU began Friday evening where it left off the previous night with a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The team of Klosova, C. Blackman, Werth and Sascha Van den Braden were just off the record pace and finished in an NCAA `A' time of 1:30.83. Rice finished in second with an NCAA `B' time of 1:31.57, while East Carolina took third in 1:34.36.

SMU extended its lead in the C-USA Championship team scoring after its impressive day three and now leads with 628 points, followed by Rice with 407 and East Carolina with 352. Houston sits in fourth with 286 points, while Marshall is fifth with 217 points.

First-year women's invitational members Northern Colorado (211) and Cal State Bakersfield (157) sit in sixth and seventh in the invitational team scoring.

Men's teams from league schools East Carolina and SMU along with Hawaii and Cal State Bakersfield are also competing in the C-USA men's invitational. SMU leads that event after day three with 648.5 points, followed by Hawai'i with 553, East Carolina with 452.5 and Cal State Bakersfield with 290.

The meet resumes at 10 a.m., Friday with the preliminaries of the 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly and 1,650-yard freestyle. The women's and men's platform diving preliminaries will begin around 1 p.m. The finals for those events are slated to begin around 6 p.m. with the championship awards presentation immediately following.

SMU Leads After Day 2 of C-USA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 28, 2008) The 2008 Conference USA Women's Swimming & Diving Championship and Invitational continued on Thursday evening at the CRWC Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston with another dominating performance by defending champion SMU. The Mustangs set new meet and pool records in two events, while winning all five events that took place during day two.

The 400-yard medley relay squad of Anja Carman, Devon Callagan, Elzanne Werth and Petra Klosova closed out the evening by taking the event gold in 3:38.86. The time was good for NCAA `B' consideration. Rice (3:47.52) and Houston (3:51.74) took second and third, respectively.

The Mustangs made history in the 3-meter diving event, becoming the first team other than Houston to win gold in a diving event. SMU Sophomore Britney Yancey claimed first place with a mark of 329.50, an NCAA `A' qualifying score. Three-time C-USA Diver of the Week Courtney Forcucci (314.80) of Houston took second also with an NCAA `A' qualifying mark. Mustang freshman Audra Egenolf claimed the bronze with an NCAA `A' mark of 306.05.

In the 50-yard freestyle, SMU had a one-two finish with junior Candace Blackman taking gold in 22.79 and senior Angela San Juan Cisneros just behind in 22.92. Both times were NCAA `B' qualifying times. Rice junior Carly Miller was third with a time of 22.96.

The Mustangs were dominant in the 200-yard individual medley, taking the top six places. Klosova, the 2007 C-USA Swimmer of the Year, set a new meet and pool record, taking the gold in 1:59.48. The time was also an NCAA `A' qualifying mark. Junior Jennifer Basel, was just off her record pace from last season and finished second in 2:00.99, while freshman Maroua Mathlouthi won bronze in 2:01.89. Both times were good for NCAA `B' qualification.

Callaghan (2:03.08), Carman (2:03.37) and sophomore Justine Clark (2:03.66) took places three through six for SMU, respectively. All three of their times were good for NCAA `B' consideration.

SMU took two of the top three places in the 500-yard freestyle final to begin the night, with Jennifer Blackman claiming her second consecutive 500 free title in an NCAA `A' qualifying time of 4:45.27. Rice's Brittany Massengale touched second (4:48.38) for an NCAA `B' qualifying time, while SMU's Katie Roberts grabbed third in 4:52.47, also an NCAA `B' qualifying time.

SMU took control of the C-USA Championship team scoring after the dominant day and now leads with 323 points, followed by Rice with 213 and East Carolina with 178. Houston sits in fourth with 125 points, while Marshall is fifth with 116 points.

First-year women's invitational members Northern Colorado (106) and Cal State Bakersfield (90) sit in sixth and seventh in the invitational team scoring.

Men's teams from league schools East Carolina and SMU along with Hawaii and Cal State Bakersfield are also competing in the C-USA men's invitational. SMU leads that event after day two with 337.50 points, followed by Hawai'i with 270, East Carolina with 218.50 and Cal State Bakersfield with 135.

The meet resumes at 10 a.m., Friday with the preliminaries of the 400-yard IM, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard breaststroke and 100-yard backstroke. The women's 1-meter and men's 3-meter diving preliminaries will begin around 1 p.m. The finals for those events are slated to begin around 6 p.m.

All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.

All students from Conference USA schools are admitted free with a valid student ID.

Fans should note that cash only will be accepted at the Tickets table.

Gates will open, and tickets will be sold beginning one hour prior to the meet. In addition, a wide variety of Championship merchandise will be available near the Tickets table.

Click here for complete meet results, team scores, and live stats.

SMU Makes NCAA "A" Cut in 800-yard Freestyle Relay

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 27, 2008) - The 2008 Conference USA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship and Invitational got off the an exciting start on Wednesday evening at the CRWC Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston with a record performance by the SMU 800-yard freestyle relay team.

The squad of Jennifer Blackman, Petra Klosova, Candace Blackman and Sascha Van den Branden finished with the time of 7:04.87, shattering the pool and meet record they set last year of 7:10.49. The mark was good for an NCAA `A' qualifying time.

Rice came in second (7:21.75) with an NCAA `B' time, while East Carolina finished in third (7:34.43). The host Cougars finished in fourth (7:37.63) and Marshall took fifth (7:42.73).

In the first event of the meet, the 200-yard medley relay, the Rice team of Angela Wo, Pam Zelnick, Skylar Craig and Diane Gu finished in 1:43.29 to take the win and grab 40 early points. Defending champion SMU finished in a record time of 1:39.32, making the NCAA “A”cut. but was disqualified fot an early takeoff. League members East Carolina (1:45.01) and Marshall (1:47.64) officially came in second and third, respectively.

Rice leads the C-USA Championship team scoring after day one with 74 points, followed by East Carolina with 66 and Marshall with 60. SMU sits in fourth with 40 points on the strength of their record-setting relay, while Houston is fifth with 30 points.

On the men's side, teams from league schools East Carolina and SMU along with Hawaii and Cal State Bakersfield are also competing in the C-USA men's invitational. SMU leads that event after day one with 108 points, followed by East Carolina and Hawai'i with 104 and Cal State Bakersfield with 44.

The meet resumes at 10 a.m., Thursday with the preliminaries of the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and the 50-yard freestyle. The women's 3-meter diving preliminaries will begin around 1 p.m. The finals for those events are slated to begin around 6 p.m.

All-session tickets are available for only $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-day tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID. Youth includes children from 3 years old to high school. Children who are 2 years old and younger are admitted free.

Click here for complete meet results, team scores, and live stats. Championship information came be accessed by clicking here.