Baseball Falls 16-2 to Kansas State on Opening Day

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 20, 2009) The University of Houston baseball team lost a 16-2 decision to Kansas State Friday night at Cougar Field to open the 2009 season.

Houston jumped on the board early in the contest on a run scored by sophomore Matt Murphy in the third inning. Murphy reached base on an error by Kansas State second baseman Carter Jurica and advanced to second on a single to center from junior Chris Wallace. He would go on to score when sophomore Caleb Ramsey reached base on a fielder's choice and Wallace advanced on an error by third base.

The Cougars added another run later in the inning when Wallace scored on a single to left field by Ty Stuckey. That would be all the run support that the Cougars would be able to get the rest of the way.

Kansas State responded in the bottom of the third scoring three run to take the lead. They would go on the score at least two runs all but one of the final six innings.

Junior lefthander Wes Musick got the start on the mound on Opening Day and with the loss he snapped a two game win streak in season openers.

The loss also snapped a three game winning streak on Opening Day for the Cougars. Houston dropped an 8-6 decision to Baylor on opening day in 2005 at Minute Maid Park in the Houston College Classic.

Despite not being able to come away with the win, three Cougars made their first career starts on Friday. William Kankel started at right field, David Murphy started at third base and Taylor White started at second base.

Houston will continue the series against the Wildcats at 2 p.m. on Saturday and the series will conclude at noon on Sunday. Sophomore righthander Jared Ray will face off against senior lefthander Lance Hoge of Kansas State in Saturday's game.