Two unearned runs in the sixth inning gave Sam Houston a 2-0 softball victory over the University of Houston in a pitcher's duel that saw both teams combine for only five hits in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday evening.
Houston bounced back to win the nightcap 6-1, but the Bearkats kept it close until a four-run seventh inning for the Cougars.
Junior Tomi Garrison gave up only three hits and struck out five Cougars in the first game. No Houston runner got pass second base as the right-hander faced only 25 batter.
Donna Bourgeois allowed Sam Houston two hits, one each by Kim Damian and Shelbi Tucker.
In the sixth inning shortstop Hailey Wiginton walked and reached third on a error on a grounder by Alyssa Coggins. An illegal pitch by Bourgeois scored Wiginton and put Coggins on third base. Damian's sacrifice fly brought home Coggins.
The Bearkats were limited to one hit in the second game. Wiginton again scored for Sam Houston, walking, reaching second on an error, stealing third base and scoring on another Damian sacrifice fly.
Courtney Schoenemann was the losing pitcher for the Kats in the second game.
The split gives Sam Houston a 6-9 record for the season. Houston now stands 9-2. The Bearkats will play in the Baylor University Softball Classic in Waco this weekend.
