Houston Blanks Southern, 25-0
Cougars belt school record 10 doubles in second-straight shutout
HOUSTON – Behind a three-run first inning and a four-run second, the Houston Baseball team notched its second 20-run offensive onslaught of the season in its second straight shutout, beating Southern 25-0 on Wednesday at Don Sanders Field at Darryl and Lori Schroeder Park.
The Cougars (19-18) belted a school record 10 doubles in the game, torched three home runs and had seven different pitchers combine for the team's fourth shutout of the season with freshman Richie Roman (1-0) picking up his first collegiate win.
Houston's offensive onslaught began in the first inning, scoring three runs on three hits. The inning featured a trio of doubles and a triple as the hosts pushed three runs across in the frame.
Houston tacked on four more runs in the second inning which was highlighted by a two-run home run on second baseman Coll Harold's fifth home run of the month.
The third inning included three more runs with first baseman Justin Murray roping his second double of the game. Pinch hitter Conner Bennett then jacked his first career home run, a grand slam to make it a 15-run game. The freshman swung at the first two pitches he saw and drove in five runs. In the freshman's third at bat, Bennett doubled in his sixth RBI of the game – becoming the first Cougar with six RBI since Zach Arnold's seven RBI performance vs UT Arlington on March 26, 2023.
When the dust settled, eight Cougars recorded multiple hits with seven driving in multiple runs.
Bennett ended the game going 3 for 3 with six RBI and a triple shy of the cycle. Right fielder Cary Arbolida ended the game a double shy of the cycle after his 3 for 5 night with three RBI on a home run, triple and single.
Houston has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since blanking Memphis 2-0 and 3-0 in 2018 and scored 20+ runs twice in the same season for the first time in school history.
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