The Houston Cougars hoped to get some positive momentum going after another painful sweep at the hands of hometown rival Rice last weekend. It wasn't to be Friday night as the Cougars dropped a tough game to Southern Miss.
↵Much like the city's professional team, the Cougars were not able to hold a late lead Friday night. Up 4-3 going into the ninth inning, Cougar reliever Jordan Mannisto gave up a two-out, two-run bases-loaded single to Golden Eagle third baseman B.A. Vollmuth. Following that, outfielder Kameron Brunty stole home to give Mississippi State a 6-4 lead going in to the bottom of the ninth.
↵The Cougars then benefited from an unearned run in the bottom of the frame to draw closer at 6-5, but a play at the plate took out Caleb Ramsey to give the Coogs one final out. Outfielder Joel Ansley was then forced out at second base on a fielder's choice to end the game. It was a tough way to end it for a Cougar team looking to get on the winning track.
↵Houston continues their three-game series with game two against Southern Mississippi tonight at Cougar Field, at 6:30.
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