SB Nation Houston - Cougars Ride Strong Pitching Performances To Series Win Over UCFhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2011-05-01T19:59:53-05:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19122822011-05-01T19:59:53-05:002011-05-01T19:59:53-05:00Cougars Ride Strong Pitching Performances To Series Win Over UCF
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<p>After a series-opening loss in Orlando on Friday evening left Houston a season-high three games below .500, it looked as though the Cougars might be about ready to pack it in for the year. A trio of pitchers said, "Not so fast."</p>
<p>On Saturday, Jordan Lewis threw a complete game, six-hit shutout, with seven Ks, and the Cougars cruised to a 5-0 win. This came on the heels of a seven-inning, two-run, 10-strikeout performance for Lewis last weekend, which earned him Conference USA pitcher of the week honors. The junior has gone five consecutive starts with at least 6 innings pitched, and two or fewer runs allowed, lowering his season ERA to 3.06.</p>
<p>In Sunday's rubber match, Jared Ray, making his second start of the year after missing the 2010 season, threw five innings of two-hit, one-run ball. Finishing off the game was football kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36247/jordan-mannisto">Jordan Mannisto</a>, who made his team-leading 19th pitching appearance. Mannisto threw four innings of effective relief, the only mark against him a two-run blast from UCF masher Jonathan Griffin. The 8th inning bomb cut the Houston lead to 4-3, but a Knight error plated Caleb Ramsey in the top of the 9th to increase the lead to two. Central Florida got a runner on with one out in the bottom of the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but Mannisto induced a 4-6-3 double play to seal the deal.</p>
<p>The series victory moved the Cougars into a tie with idle Rice for second place in Conference USA with a 9-6 mark. This coming weekend will see UH and Rice face off in the Silver Glove Series at Cougar Field. Southern Miss has a two-game conference lead at 11-4, but the Golden Eagles will have to go through both the Cougars and the Owls between now and the end of the season.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/5/1/2334501/cougars-ride-strong-pitching-performances-to-series-win-over-ucfDustin Rensink