HOUSTON – A sixth-inning two-run homer lifted Houston Baptist past Texas Southern by a 3-2 margin Tuesday evening.
HBU would score a run in the first for an early 1-0 lead but TSU didn't let the early run deter them as starter Naomi Reyes bounced back and held them scoreless until TSU's offense came alive.
Catcher Daryn Haslam opened the fourth with a double to center and was pinch ran by Ashlin Moreno. Moreno moved to third on a grounder to second and Julia Bilbao rewarded her with an RBI single to center for a 1-1 tie. With one out, Haley Castro would single and Bilbao moved over to third but TSU couldn't capitalize with back-to-back strikeouts.
Reyes had another quick 1-2-3 inning and the TSU offense went back to work as Pamela Richardson hit a well-placed bunt single with one out and stole second. Pinch hitter Tierrah Williams drew a walk which triggered a pitching change. Haslam would drive in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice as TSU led 2-1.
Jazmin Gendorf came on in relief to open the fifth and recorded three straight outs. HBU held TSU to a 1-2-3 sixth before opening the bottom frame with a leadoff single. A sac bunt moved the leadoff runner to second followed by a passed ball which put the runner on third. HBU's Caitlyn Brockway, who struck out in two previous at-bats, homered to center to move HBU ahead 3-2. HBU would draw a walk and single which led to a pitching change. Lailah Bell would walk her first batter but came up big with a strikeout and pop up to end the inning. TSU had a final chance to put up runs in the seventh but went down in order.
TSU had four hits as Richardson led the team with a hit and run. Reyes would strike out three in four innings of work while Gendorf (0-2) was tagged with the loss in 1.1 innings of action.
TSU is back in action on Friday for its home opener as they'll host Houston-Victoria at 2 p.m. at Memorial Park.
