Junior Catcher and Utility Turiya Coleman finished the game 3-3 with three runs and three RBIs. | Courtesy of UH Athletics

The Houston Cougars softball team got back in the win column after defeating Lamar University 15-7, breaking their six-game losing streak.

The game marked the first time Houston came back from a five-or-more run deficit since 2022. Eight different Cougars recorded an RBI, while nine scored runs.

In the first, Houston got two runs on the board after graduate infielder Jazmyn Rollin hit a double, allowing graduate catcher Kennedy Thomas and junior infielder Lair Beautae to score.

Rollin added to the box score after junior catcher Turiya Coleman hit a single, and junior infielder Brook Lorenzo grounded out to first base, leading Coleman to score.

Houston’s momentum translated into the second inning when Rollin and Beautae scored again after Coleman hit a double to left center field.

Graduate pitcher Shelby Smith followed those two scores with a home run to center-left field, where she and Coleman scored, giving UH an 8-6 lead after two innings.

In the fourth inning, Houston opened up the game even more, totaling six runs.

In the fifth and final inning, UH would score an additional run after Smith hit a single to right field, paving the way for freshman outfielder Jordee Wilkins.

Houston improves to 23-20 on the season. The Cougars will look to get their second win in a row Friday where they’ll travel to take on the No.2 ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Friday at 6 p.m.

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“UH softball breaks six game losing streak with dominant win over Lamar” was originally posted on The Cougar

Freshman infielder Ace Reece swings in Houston’s March 1 matchup against Texas State at Minute Maid Park. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

The Houston baseball team took on the Rice Owls in a close game at home on Tuesday winning 4-3. 

After previously defeating the Owls in two games in March, Houston looked to close out the matchup with a 3-0 series lead.  

In a game that consisted of sporadic scoring, UH scored a first run after senior catcher Anthony Tulimero hit a single to left center field that allowed freshman infielder Ace Reese to score and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the first inning. 

Houston went scoreless in the second and third innings while Rice scored two runs in that span but the Cougars were able to get back on the board in the fourth inning. 

Senior infielder/outfielder hybrid Tristan Moore hit a home run to right field, tying the score 2-2 at the end of the fourth inning. 

That home run seemed to give the Cougars a boost, as Houston went on to score two additional runs in the fifth inning. 

Senior infielder Harold Coll would hit a line drive double which resulted in Tulimero scoring at base that gave UH a 3-2 lead. 

Red-shirt senior catcher Jonathan French hit a single to right field which gave Coll the opportunity to score and gave UH a 4-2 lead after five innings. 

Rice was able to close the gap as they scored an additional run in the sixth inning but the Cougars were able to hold the Owls off for the remaining three innings, as Houston would go on to win 4-3.  

The Cougars now have a 16-12 record and will play their next game against Texas Tech in Lubbock on Friday.

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“UH baseball narrowly takes down Rice 4-3 at home” was originally posted on The Cougar

Shaun Maswanganyi anchored UH’s 4x200m relay team and took first place in the 100-meter dash at the Texas Relays. | Joe Buvid/UH Athletics

The UH Track and Field squad found plenty of success on both the men’s and women’s side this weekend in Austin as seniors Davonte Burnett and Shaun Maswanganyi along with freshman Cayden Broadnax and junior Trey East III captured the world’s fast time this year in the 4×200-meter relay.

The four blew past the competition with a blistering time of 1:21.55.

The notable four athletes that competed for the women were senior Iman Babineaux, graduate students Sydni Townsend and Kelly-Ann Beckford and freshman Michaela Mouton who collectively broke the UH record in the 4×400-meter set in 1993 with a time of 3:28:01. The time is also second in the nation.

In addition to the relays, Maswanganyi won first place in the 100-meter final with a time of 10.09, tied with two other collegiate athletes this year. He became the first UH athlete to win the event at the Texas Relays since Leroy Burell did so in 1986.

Townsend placed second in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a personal-best time of 56.36 seconds. Meanwhile, Beckford broke the school record in the 800-meter race by a full second with a second-place time of 2:02.88.

The Cougars’ next event will be on April 6 where they will compete in the Cameron Burrell Alumni Invitational in Houston. 

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“Cougars climb national, world rankings at Texas Relays” was originally posted on The Cougar

The Cougars could not capitalize on the momentum of two straight wins entering their series with Kansas, falling in all three matchups. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

The UH softball team had a tough series this past weekend going 0-3 against the Kansas Jayhawks at home. 

Houston, which had won two games in a row entering the series, were looking continue that success but fell substantially short. 

Game 1 

The first game started off slow for the Cougars. Kansas got its first run in the first inning and UH did not strike on the scoreboard until the fourth. 

Junior utility Turiya Coleman hit a home run to right field while graduate utility Bree Cantu added another run in the inning. 

In addition, graduate pitcher Shelby Smith also hit a homer to center field in the fourth, giving the Cougars a 3-2 lead at the end of the inning. 

Unfortunately for the Cougars, that was where the scoring stopped. 

The Jayhawks were able to garner two runs including one that came off of a home run leading to Kansas getting the 4-3 win. 

Game 2

Despite scoring first in the game from a run by graduate catcher Kennedy Thomas after a single by Coleman, UH got dominated in the second matchup. 

For the first three innings things were close. 

UH matched Kansas’ home run with a single hit through the right side by Coleman allowing graduate student Jazmyn Rollin to score a run, which gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead. 

The fourth inning was where Kansas ran up the score after four total runs and a home run to left field, giving the Jayhawks a 5-2 lead. 

The fifth consisted of similar fortitude for Houston as Kansas dished in two more runs giving them a comfortable 7-2 lead. 

Houston would score two final runs in the seventh inning from graduate utility Bree Cantu homered to right center field and Rollin scored, but the Jayhawks scored four runs in the period as Kansas won 11-4. 

Game 3

The final game of the series was similar to the first in terms of margin. 

The Cougars would score first after a ground ball hit by sophomore sophomore infielder Mandy Esman paved the way for a run by graduate pitcher Shelby Smith, which gave UH a 1-0 lead in the second inning. 

That would be Houston’s lone run of the game though, as the Jayhawks would score two final runs of the game in the third ultimately leading to Kansas sweeping the series winning 2-1 in the game. 

The Cougars will look to get back in the winning column on Tuesday, March 26, when they face the Prairie View A&M Panthers at home.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“UH softball goes winless in home series with Kansas” was originally posted on The Cougar

UH baseball secures Silver Glove Series for the third straight season. Photograph from Astros Foundation Classic. | Anh Le/ The Cougar

Cougar baseball secured the Silver Glove after defeating the Rice Owls in a two-game series, split between Houston’s Schroder Park and Rice.

Game 1

Junior pitcher Cade Citelli pitched four innings of one-hit baseball with seven strikeouts in Tuesday’s 4-1 win.

In relief senior pitcher Chris Stuart pitched four more, only giving up a hit and a homer.

Senior infielder Jake Rainess delivered offensively with a bases-loaded single in the second, opening the opportunity for senior infielder Harold Coll to score.

Senior outfielder Jacob Schoenvogel added a triple in the second, resulting in senior outfielder Tre Jones and redshirt catcher Jonathan French scoring two runs, making the score 3-0.

Scoring stalled for the next four innings, but in the seventh Houston scored their final run when sophomore catcher Kenneth Jimenez doubled to left field.

French advanced from third to home, giving the Cougars a comfortable 4-0 lead.

The Owls scored their lone run in the eighth inning, effectively sealing the deal in favor of the Coogs.

Game 2

Jimenez hit a home run to left field, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the third to kick off their 4-2 win over Rice.

The eighth inning was where the Cougars separated themselves in Wednesday’s matchup.

Freshman infielder Ace Reese doubled to left center, allowing senior utility Justin Murray to score, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead.

The next run came in credit to sophomore infielder Coby DeJesus and Jones when DeJesus singled to left field, which led to Jones scoring at home making the score 3-1.

Houston’s final run would come by a walk with bases loaded, as Murray advanced to second and sophomore infielder Thomas Lyssy scored, giving UH a 4-1 lead.

Rice loaded the bases in the eighth but three straight strikes out of the glove of sophomore pitcher Ryan Dollar stranded the runners.

Rice scored one run in the eighth inning but the Owls failed to strike any other momentum in the game as the Cougars advanced to win.

Next, the Coogs will compete in a three-game series at Schroder Park against Kansas State beginning on Friday at 6:30.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Cougars take Silver Glove series against Rice for third straight season” was originally posted on The Cougar

Houston tennis is unable to regain footing after being swept in weekend matches. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

The UH tennis team took on the No.7 Texas Longhorns and the No.21 Oklahoma Sooners at home this past weekend. 

With both teams ranked in the top 25, Houston had its hands full attempting to snap a nine-match losing streak. The Cougars were unsuccessful and swept in both matches.

Houston is now 1-11 on the season and has yet to obtain a Big 12 win, earning only one point against a conference opponent this season.

Match 1 

The team looked to earn their first win since January with UT.

UH failed to find any rhythm in doubles, losing 6-1 in the first set, and 6-2 in the second. 

Sophomores Sophie Schouten and Sonya Kovalenko competed in the first set, while sophomore Gabriela Cortes and junior Elena Trencheva battled in the second. 

In singles, senior Laura Silsane was swept 6-0 in both sets. 

Junior Maria Dzemeshkevich lost 6-1 in the first set, and 6-3 in the second.

The last single consisted of sophomore Gabriela Cortes losing 6-1 and 7-5 giving UT the win.

Match 2

The Cougars Tennis team lost their 11th straight match 0-4 to Oklahoma.

In doubles, the sophomore tandem of Schouten and Kovalenko narrowly lost 6-4. Likewise, Trencheva and Cortes landed on the same score as their teammates, handing the doubles point to the Sooners.

In singles, Sophie Schouten lost both her sets 6-1. 

The other single match-up consisted of sophomore Gabriela Cortes representing UH, losing 6-0, and 6-3 in the second set. 

In the final singles matchup, freshman Nina Skoric kept things close only losing 4-6 in the first set, but was unable to find that same success in the second, losing 1-6. 

Houston will look to snap their losing streak on Friday when they play West Virginia in Morgantown, VA. 

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Houston tennis extends losing streak to 11 with 0-4 loses against No. 7 Texas and No. 21 Oklahoma” was originally posted on The Cougar

UH started off its Big 12 schedule with a sweep over the Baylor Bears. | Anh Le/The Cougar

The Houston Cougar baseball team opened up the Big 12 era with a resounding three-game series sweep over the Baylor Bears at Schroeder Park. 

Game 1

In game 1, UH won a close matchup 4-3 to win its first-ever Big 12 baseball game. 

In the first inning, the Cougars went scoreless and the Bears were able to score a run, making the game 1-0. Both teams stalled in the second and third innings, but Houston grabbed momentum in the fourth. 

Senior utility Justin Murray, freshman infielder Ace Reese, and sophomore catcher Kenneth Jimenez all scored off runs from three total RBIs by Reese and senior infielder Jake Rainess, pushing the Cougars to a 3-1 lead. 

More action continued in the fifth inning. 

The Bears added two more runs but UH responded with a run of their own from Murray, his second of the game, making the score 4-3. 

Game 2

UH responded in dominant fashion in their second game, beating Baylor 8-0. 

In the first inning, Jimenez scored a run off a double hit from Murray, making the score 1-0. 

The third inning consisted of an additional run from Houston off a sacrifice fly ball from senior outfielder Tre Jones, helping redshirt senior catcher Jonathan French score, making it 2-0. 

In the fourth inning, senior outfielder Jacob Schoenvogel hit a homer to right field while Reese was on base, pushing the Cougars to a 4-0 lead. 

After a dry spell in the fifth and sixth innings, UH had a dominant stretch in the seventh. French hit a home run to right center field, making the score 5-0. The remaining three runs came from sophomore infielder Coby DeJesus, Murray and Jimenez, giving the UH a comfortable 8-0 lead.

Game 3

The final game of the series was reminiscent of the first, with UH winning a close game 3-2. 

In the first four innings, both teams were unable to shake anything offensively. That changed in the fifth inning when senior utility Alex Lopez doubled through right field, positioning French to score and giving UH the first run of the game. 

In the sixth Baylor put together a run of their own, but Houston responded with a home run from senior outfielder Cary Arbolida, and a run from junior outfielder Cameron Nickens, giving the Cougars a 3-1 lead. 

The last run of the game came from Baylor in the eighth inning, but UH was able to hold to win. 

The Cougars now have an 11-4 record and will look to continue that momentum when they travel to Provo, Utah to take on the BYU Cougars in a series starting March 14.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“UH baseball sweeps first-ever Big 12 series against Baylor” was originally posted on The Cougar

Morgan Janda has decided to make the most of her final semester at UH, becoming the school’s first dual-sport athlete in 10 years. | Courtesy of UH Athletics

When graduate volleyball star Morgan Janda transferred to Houston in 2022, she was ready to give up her career as a high jumper. Janda was previously a dual-sport athlete at Sam Houston State University in volleyball and track. In 2022, Morgan made the move to Houston, anticipating two final years of play exclusively on the court with jumping out of the picture.

That is, until a chance encounter with UH director of track and field Will Blackburn made her Houston’s first dual-sport athlete since football and basketball player Tyus Bowser in 2013-14.

“I took the year off from track when I first got here,” Janda said. “I was in my academic advisor’s office and Coach Blackburn was like, ‘You didn’t want to jump at UH?’ It kind of fell into my lap I guess.”

Janda began working with jumps coach Drew Fucci on getting her ready for the season, finding a smooth transition from volleyball to jumping.

“In volleyball as a setter, it’s quick lateral movement. When I’m doing high jump, it’s as high as you can,” Morgan said. “Our coaches have said volleyball players are often good high jumpers because the approach is the same, and it comes easy.” 

Coach Fucci praised Janda when talking about her skills as a jumper, highlighting her poise and experience from years competing at a high level.

“When you go from a team sport like volleyball to high jump, it’s just you.” Fucci said, “Coaching Morgan has been rewarding. She’s experienced, she’s not a freshman. The biggest takeaway is her patience, and she is an incredible athlete.”

Beyond Janda’s high-level athleticism, her character is a constant trait that stands out to her UH teammates and coaching staff. Houston graduate student and volleyball star Kate Georgiades attested to Janda’s overall mentality as a teammate and friend. Kate is also Morgan’s roommate, and both have had similar paths, contributing to their friendship and rapport. Georgiades transferred from TCU to UH in 2021, and Janda came to Houston in 2022 from Sam Houston. 

“We both related to each other,” Georgiades said. “At our previous schools we both kind of lost our love for volleyball, and coming to UH we found the love again.” 

Janda’s love of the court has directly impacted her transition back to the track, in her final collegiate athletic opportunity. The graduate student credits UH head volleyball coach David Rehr and Fucci for their impact on her success.

“Coach Rehr took me in and developed me as an athlete. I thought I reached my potential when I was at Sam Houston.” Janda said. “He really cares about the person more than the athlete. He wants to make sure that you know that he’s there for you all the time … (Fucci’s) very patient with the transition. He knows what he’s talking about and he’s helped me out a lot. I couldn’t ask for a better coach to accept me in my last semester.”

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“Dual sportsmanship: UH Volleyball star reaches new heights on track team” was originally posted on The Cougar

A disastrous second period set up UH women’s basketball’s Wednesday night loss to Iowa State at Fertitta Center. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

On Wednesday the Houston Cougars faced off against the Iowa State Cyclones at Fertitta Center, losing 76-64.

After winning a close game on the road at Oklahoma State, UH’s momentum was halted on its second to last home game of the season. 

In the first quarter the game was tight with both teams trading buckets early. 

That pace continued in addition to the Cougars having success defensively, forcing Iowa State to five turnovers but they still trailed 18-17 at the end of the first. 

In the second, Houston struggled to score. Despite getting solid looks, UH’s first field goal did not come until the four-minute mark.

The Cyclones were having their way with UH shooting 48 percent from the field for the half and leading 44-23 going into halftime. 

After a sluggish second quarter, the Cougars got hot and went on a run in the third quarter. 

UH scored 24 points in the period, shooting 50 percent from the field and 45  percent from three, trailing 59-47 at the end of the third. 

The Cougars aimed to continue that scoring boost into the fourth but the Cyclones controlled the pace of the game for the entire quarter. 

The leading scorer for UH was senior guard Laila Blair, who scored 19 points on the night

Houston will look to bounce back as they visit TCU on the road on Feb.24.

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“UH women’s hoops drops to .500 in Iowa State loss” was originally posted on The Cougar

UH won all six of its games in the Houston Classic Tournament. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

The UH Softball team extended their win total to 10 games after wins against UTSA, Massachussetts and sweeps against Nicholls and Northwestern State at the Houston Classic. 

Game 1

The Coogs cruised in their game one matchup against UTSA winning 15-3. 

Graduate pitcher Shelby Smith pitched for the whole game, going 5-1 for five innings. 

Key contributors included infielder graduate utility player Bree Cantu, sophomore infielder Mandy Esman, junior infielder Lair Beautae and Smith, who combined for 10 RBIs and nine runs. Smith individually had a stacked performance, adding in four hits, three runs, one double and three strikeouts. 

Game 2

In game two against Nicholls, the Cougars outlasted them winning 5-1. 

Sophomore pitcher Nicole Bodeux won her first game, pitching for over three hitless innings and allowing one unearned run. Esman and freshman outfielder Jordee Wilkins combined for five RBIs and a run. Junior catcher Turiya Coleman also had two runs. 

Game 3

UH’s game against UMass saw Houston’s hot streak continue in a shutout 5-0 win. 

In seven innings, pitcher Smith allowed just one walk and one hit. Wilkins and Esman combined for five RBIs and a run, and Turiya Coleman had a second straight two-run game. 

Game 4

In the Cougars’ second game against Nicholls, UH separated themselves again winning 11-3. 

Smith and sophomore pitcher Tamya Waiters both split time at the mound, with Smith relieving Waiters, helping advance the Coogs to her fourth win of the season pitching. 

Graduate infielder Jazmyn Rollin had a standout individual game, going 3-3 with a home run, three runs total and two RBIs. Cantu and graduate catcher Kennedy Thomas also totaled six combined RBIs. 

Game 5

The Coogs took care of their first four games of the weekend but had two remaining against Northwestern State. 

In game one, the Cougars won in electric fashion, coming from behind to win the game. Smith got her second consecutive win as relief, striking out five batters. Beautae had her 20th career multi-RBI game, and junior catcher Coleman earned her 15th. 

Another key player included Cantu who went 2-3 with and added an RBI. 

Game 6

In game two, the Cougars dominated Northwestern State in convincing fashion, winning 13-0. 

Redshirt sophomore pitcher Paris Lehman pitched her first solo shutout with a one-hitter. Cantu and Coleman combined for five doubles, five RBIs, and two runs.  

The Cougars will look to put their winning streak to eight against Austin Peay on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“UH softball stays hot with six wins in Houston Classic” was originally posted on The Cougar