UH Sweeps Opening Day DH

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UH sweeps Delaware in season-opening doubleheader
By SAM KHAN JR., HOUSTON CHRONICLE Updated 10:23 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2012

With a sun that seemingly couldn't be found on an overcast day and a drizzle that persisted, it was easy for the Houston Cougars to sleepwalk through much of their season debut, the first of a doubleheader against Delaware.

But when the Cougars woke up, they turned a dreary day into a bright one.

With a seven-run eighth inning the Cougars crawled out of a five-run deficit to defeat Delaware 7-5 on Saturday at Cougar Field.

The win was powered by a seven-run eighth inning rally after the Cougars (2-0) entered the frame trailing 5-0. No. 9 hitter Taylor White reached on a single then leadoff hitter Landon Appling appeared to be hit by a pitch but wasn't awarded first. Coach Todd Whitting came out to argue the call, Appling eventually struck out, but the Cougars responded in a big way.

The next six Cougars in the order reached base. Jake Runte's RBI triple started the scoring, Chase Jensen added an RBI single, John Cannon tacked-on a two-RBI single and freshman Zack Gibson tied the game at 5-5 with an RBI double.

With runners on second and third, freshman Price Jacobs lay down a suicide squeeze, scoring Cannon from third and Gibson from second, giving the Cougars the 7-5 lead. "We were sleepwalking through the first seven innings," Whitting said. "I think that (non-call) got us jump started. It kind of woke up our dugout and you saw what happened."

Senior pitcher Mo Wiley, who was making his debut as the Cougars' closer, struck out two in a scoreless ninth to get the save. Sophomore Chase Wellbrock (1-0) got the win in relief.

The Blue Hens (0-2) couldn't recover from early game collapse in the nightcap. Houston capitalized on its momentum, scoring seven first-inning runs in the second game of the doubleheader en route to a 16-1 win. Appling led the game off with a solo homer.

Junior first baseman Casey Grayson went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs while Jensen went 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Freshman outfielder Price Jacobs was 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs.

Senior lefthander Jordan Lewis (1-0) got the win with 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits.

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