Rayner Noble Earns 500th Win Over Kansas State

By Chris Price

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 22, 2009) University of Houston head coach baseball Rayner Noble earned his 500th career win as his Cougars came from behind and defeated Kansas State, 3-2, in 10 innings in the series finale on Sunday at Cougar Field.

Junior Zak Presley scored on a single through the right side from sophomore Matt Murphy to give Houston the win in the bottom of the 10th inning. Presley reached base on a single to second base and he would advance to second when freshman David Murphy grounded out to the shortstop. Presley scored the go ahead run when Matt Murphy came in to pinch hit.

The Cougars trailed the game 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning but with one out sophomore Blake Kelso hit a solo shot over the left field fence to tie the game. Freshman Taylor White and sophomore Caleb Ramsey field out to left field to end the inning.

Kansas State had a chance to win the game in the 10th inning. The Wildcats had two runners on base with one out but sophomore Chase Dempsay threw out Adam Muenster at home and he would strike out the next batter to end the inning.

Houston scored its only other run in the fourth inning when junior Chris Wallace scored when David Murphy doubled down the left field line. He reached base on a double of his own to left center.

With the win Houston improves to 1-2 on the season. They will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Stephen F. Austin. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. The Cougars will also have a mid-week match-up with cross-town rival Rice on Wednesday at 4 p.m. before the Houston College Classic on Feb. 27-March 1 at Minute Maid Park.