Softball Makes 2021 Season Debut

HOUSTON – Playing in frigid temperatures, the Texas Southern softball team dropped its season opener to the University of Houston by an 8-0 margin Saturday afternoon.

Originally scheduled to open play on Friday against UTSA, the mid-February winter storm brought a combination of rain, wind and freezing temperatures to the local area which resulted in a game cancellation. As a result, TSU opened its 2021 campaign across Scott Street at the University of Houston on Saturday.

UH would jump out to an early 2-0 lead after the bottom of the first via a two-run homer. TSU had its first runner in scoring position in the top of the second as Daryn Haslam drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed over by Mila Rodriguez. However, the UH defense forced back-to-back groundouts to end the inning. The Cougars opened the second inning with a leadoff homer to lead 3-0 but TSU attempted to answer in the third as Ashling Shahan reached second after a throwing error. Unfortunately, she would remain on second as the offense couldn’t move her further.

With TSU still within striking distance entering the bottom of the third with two outs and runners on the corner, UH’s Katy Repa stole second. On the throw to second, UH’s Rock Benavides stole third and scored as she beat the throw back home for a 4-0 lead.

Haslam reached base in the fourth after a hard-hit grounder to third base in the fourth but was thrown out at second on a fielder’s choice. TSU held UH scoreless in the bottom of the fourth but the Cougars put the game away in the fifth with four unearned runs to trigger the run-rule.

Naomi Reyes fell to 0-1 on the season as pitched four innings before relived by Jazmine Gendorf entering the fifth.

Sunday’s doubleheader at Lamar has been postponed as the teams are working on a new date. As of now, TSU will travel to SFA on Tuesday for a 3 p.m. single game as a decision will be made on the game status on Monday.