Houston softball drops eighth-straight in 13-5 run rule loss at Lamar

Houston softball saw its losing streak extend to eight games Tuesday night, falling 13-5 to Lamar in a six-inning run rule affair at Lamar Softball Complex in Beaumont.

The Cougars, now below .500 at 17-18 overall, struggled early and never fully recovered out of an eight-run first inning from the Cardinals.

After previously reaching 100 career strikeouts, redshirt senior pitcher Paris Lehman recorded just one out in her start, allowing five hits, six runs and one walk on 40 pitches. The early deficit prompted a quick pitching change, with senior Nicole Bodeux entering in relief.

Bodeux finished the opening frame, but surrendered three hits and two runs towards an 8-0 Lamar lead before Houston recorded its second out. The Cougars also committed two errors in the span.

Through three innings, Houston managed just one hit and remained scoreless while facing its largest deficit of the evening at 9-0.

The Cougars showed signs of life, however, answering with a four-run fourth. 

After junior outfielder Jordee Wilkins and junior infielder Makenna Mitchell both scored on wild pitches, sophomore catcher Isabel Cintron delivered a two-run single up the middle to cut the deficit to 9-4.

Freshman infielder Isabella Flores issued fifth-inning insurance for the Cardinals, lacing an RBI double into center to make their lead 10-4.

Houston added another run in the top of the sixth, when senior infielder Kylei Griffin clubbed an RBI triple to right to cut its deficit in half at 10-5.

However, Lamar responded in its home half, adding three runs to extend its lead to 13-5 and trigger the run rule.

Bodeux pitched 5 ⅓  innings in relief, allowing six runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Junior pitcher Gigi Solis recorded the final out, allowing one hit and one walk.

The Cougars will look to regroup and earn their first win in 11 days, as they’ll return home for a three-game series against No. 22 UCF at Cougar Softball Stadium beginning Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m.