HOUSTON – The Texas Southern University baseball team jumped out to an early lead Tuesday before succumbing to the No. 19-ranked Houston Cougars by a score of 4-3.
At the University of Houston's Schroeder Park, Christian Sanchez provided the only RBI for the Tigers (2-6), knocking a solo home run to left field in the top of the third inning to stretch TSU's lead to 3-0. Olajide Oloruntimilehin opened the scoring in the second when he scored on a failed pickoff throw; Horace LeBlanc later came home on a wild pitch in the inning.
Michael Villanueva, the Southwestern Athletic Conference's preseason Pitcher of the Year selection, tossed five strong innings for the visiting Tigers, striking out five batters while allowing only three hits and one run. Joey Pulido picked up the win in relief for the Cougars (5-2).
The loss was TSU's second one-run setback to a ranked team; the Tigers also fell 6-5 to then No. 22-Missouri State in Beaumont during the opening weekend of the season.
Sanchez knocked two hits in the game; LeBlanc, Oloruntimilehin, Jose Camacho, and Gaudencio Lucca also knocked base hits for the Tigers. LeBlanc and Keanu Van Kuren each stole a base for TSU in Tuesday's game.
Houston tied the game in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, and won the game in the bottom of the ninth when leadoff hitter Connor Hollis walked, stole second base, and then came home on Jared Triolo's double.
The Tigers travel to Lawrence, Kan., this weekend for a series at Kansas. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m. at KU's Hogland Ballpark.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
At the University of Houston's Schroeder Park, Christian Sanchez provided the only RBI for the Tigers (2-6), knocking a solo home run to left field in the top of the third inning to stretch TSU's lead to 3-0. Olajide Oloruntimilehin opened the scoring in the second when he scored on a failed pickoff throw; Horace LeBlanc later came home on a wild pitch in the inning.
Michael Villanueva, the Southwestern Athletic Conference's preseason Pitcher of the Year selection, tossed five strong innings for the visiting Tigers, striking out five batters while allowing only three hits and one run. Joey Pulido picked up the win in relief for the Cougars (5-2).
The loss was TSU's second one-run setback to a ranked team; the Tigers also fell 6-5 to then No. 22-Missouri State in Beaumont during the opening weekend of the season.
Sanchez knocked two hits in the game; LeBlanc, Oloruntimilehin, Jose Camacho, and Gaudencio Lucca also knocked base hits for the Tigers. LeBlanc and Keanu Van Kuren each stole a base for TSU in Tuesday's game.
Houston tied the game in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, and won the game in the bottom of the ninth when leadoff hitter Connor Hollis walked, stole second base, and then came home on Jared Triolo's double.
The Tigers travel to Lawrence, Kan., this weekend for a series at Kansas. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m. at KU's Hogland Ballpark.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics