HOUSTON, Texas – Undefeated Houston erased Lafayette's three-run lead to capture a 12-4 final on Friday evening at Cougar Softball Stadium.
 
The Leopards banged out three runs in the first inning, loading the bases with one out. Dani Rosner came through with a two-out single that scored Caroline Hall (single). Still with the bases loaded, Maggie Klug delivered a two-run single, plating Kylee Sweet and Texas native Regan Dillon for the 3-0 advantage that chased the Houston starter from the game.
 
The hosts answered with a run in the bottom half of the opening frame via a Maddie Hartley double off the wall. A diving catch by another Texas product, Ava Butler, earlier in the inning helped limit the damage.
 
Houston tied the game at 3-3 with a pair of unearned runs in the second inning, pushing Leopard starter Parker Rowden (2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB in 1.1 innings) form the circle.
 
The seesaw game continued as the Maroon and White recaptured the lead in the top of the third. The Leopards took advantage of an error, and Rosner scored on a wild pitch for a 4-3 margin.
 
The lead did not last, for long. Ariel Redmond smacked a home run to center off reliever Makayla Lecky in the fourth. The game was knotted 4-4. Another home run, Maddie Hartley's two-run shot off reliever Jordan Goedel, pushed Houston ahead for the first time in the game, 6-4.  
 
The hosts put away the game in the sixth inning, pushing across six runs. Isabella Cintron delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run to close out the 12-4 final.
 
Goedel was credited with the loss, allowing eight runs on three hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Nevaeh Brown collected the W, as she did not allow a hit over the final three innings.
 
Lafayette's games on Saturday have been moved up two hours to avoid potential inclement weather. Lafayette will play Penn State at 11 a.m. and Houston Christian at 4 p.m.