The University of Houston and Sam Houston combined for 37 runs and 30 hits in 12 innings as the Cougars swept a non-conference softball doubleheader from the Kats by scores of 10-8 and 15-4 Tuesday evening.
The Bearkats posted their second highest single game hit total of the season in the opening game of the doubleheader. Led by catcher Katie Doerre who went 4-for-4 at the plate, Sam Houston totaled 13 hits. Only the Kats' 15 hits against Illinois at the South Florida tournament has surpassed that total.
Doerre, whose fourth home run of the season opened the scoring in the game's second inning, batted in four runs. She also had a run-scoring single in the fifth inning that gave the Kats a 6-4 lead and another RBI single in the top of the sixth as Sam Houston went up 8-6.
Houston responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth when Courtney Klinger blasted a two-run homer to center field that proved to be the game winner.
Jennie Kieval posted a two-run single and Tiffany Castillo added another tally on a double to left center in a three-run fourth inning. Breanna Homer picked up an RBI in the fifth. Bailey Watson, Dani Allen and Homer all were responsible for two hits apiece.
Jade Alford started in the circle, giving up seven hits in four innings. Taylor Atkinson and Lindsey McLeod each pitched an inning in relief.
Sam Houston jumped out to an early lead in the nightcap as well as Castillo brought in a run in the first inning with an RBI single. The UH women rallied for three runs in the bottom of the first.
The Bearkats took the lead again as Allen and Homer hit consecutive run-scoring doubles and Kieval singled and scored on an error to give Sam Houston a 4-3 lead.
Houston struck for five runs in both the second and third innings and two more in the fourth as the Cougars earned their sweep with a run-rule game.
Alford, Brooke Seneshen, Jordan Franks and Taylor Atkinson all worked in the circle for Sam Houston.
The Bearkats return to Southland Conference action Friday and Saturday with a three-game series at the Softball Complex. The weekend begins with a 3 p.m. doubleheader Friday and ends Saturday with a 3 p.m. single encounter.
