The Houston Cougars have taken their lumps early in Big 12 play. Back to Back tough series have ended the same way for the Cougars, in sweeps. While they might not show progress in the win column, they are a team destined to break out. In midweek games though the depth has certainly shined as they sit at 6-1. The wins include a sweep of rival Rice, as well as wins over a couple of pesky midmajors looking to boost their RPI in Lamar and Sam Houston. Tonight in the Silver Glove Series Finale against Rice, the pieces to win were all there. Bullpen depth, an expertised lineup, and timely hitting were all on display.
Right Hander Dan Wright was the starter for the Cougars,and he was great out of the gate! Highlighted by a 2 seam fast ball that broke like a slider at 89 mph. He was able to get weak contact from Devenney and Riedel before fanning Rank. The second and third innings were a little tougher as Wright was chased in favor of Michael Benzor. Houston loves to employ a pitch limit in midweeks and we have come to expect these kinds of outings from Dan Wight. He usually works 2 to 3 innings, before being pulled at 41 pitches. With the bullpen Houston has, they have the flexibility to throw 6 or 7 pitchers in a contest. Micahel Benzor continued his dominance in the pen going 2.2 without allowing an earned run. Benzor entered with a 2 ball count before pounding the zone. He worked around 2 walks and was able to strike out two Owls QUOTE.
“I was getting ahead establishing the fastball, and coming back with the breaker and was able to induce a ton of weak contact” It was a season long outing for Benzor as well as a season high in pitches. It shattered his previous high of 21. “I feel good about my arm health going forward, it was a great experience and definitely something I can build off of”
At the plate, Anthony Tulimero continued his hot stretch, recording 3 hits as well as an RBI. He was the DH tonight as he works his way back from a hand injury. Jonathan French had a hit as well as handling duties behind the plate. Tulimero, French and Jimenez create one of the best hitting rooms in the country. All three primary catchers have spent time as the DH as well as in the outfield. While Jimenez was the odd man out tonight, I expect him to still find his way into the lineup.
It was a memorable night for Tristan Moore as he got the start in right field. In his second at bat, he would turn around 1-0 slider and deposit it over the right field wall to tie the game. It was his first hit as well as his first home run in college. “Theres no better feeling than hitting a home run especially first hit as a Cougar” said Moore “I definitely knew I got all of it, it felt like I got all of it”
Moore has a smooth left handed swing that allows him to have good barrel coverage in the zone, and has good backspin off the ball. This will be the first of many for Tristian Moore. “Baseball is a hard game, I try and keep it simple and I try to have fun”
Houston would add on in the 5th with a trio of doubles. Starting it off was the captain, Anthony Tulimero. Harold Coll would trade places with him to tie the game. Coll would later score on Jonathan French's double. While Rice would cut into the led with an unearned run, Houston wouldn't need any more runs to hold onto victory. The combination of Chris Stuart, Alex Solis and Owen Woodward would slam the door shut. Each would work a scoreless inning, with Stuart being the only one to allow a hit.
Looking ahead, Houston will travel to Lubbock to face a Texas Tech team looking to right the ship. “I think we are heading in the right direction, we all have each others back.” Said Benzor. Tristan Moore added “We are a good team, I think we can turn this around.”
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