• Box Score

The Cougars, who won their fourth consecutive game against a Pac-10 opponent, improved to 16-7 on the season, while the Cats fell to 15-13.

Houston homered in each of the first three innings and scored in each of the first four frames in building a 10-0 lead. Bitter and senior first baseman J.P. Woodward each drove in three for the Cougars, while four players had at least two hits.

Freshman right-hander Bryan Harris, making his first start, retired the first 11 Wildcat batters. Three Cougars held Arizona scoreless over the last 4.2 innings to preserve the victory. Sophomore righty Matt Hooper (2-0) earned the win, while senior right-hander Mike Crawford (4-4) took the loss for Arizona.

The Cats were led at the plate by senior catcher Mike Meyer who singled and hit his second home run of the season. Junior first baseman Ernie Durazo went 0-for-4, snapping his career-best 17-game hitting streak. Junior right-hander Rob Elias shut the Cougars out on just one hit over 4.1 innings of relief work.

Arizona returns to action Friday when it opens Pac-10 play at home against California at 7 p.m.

#7 Houston     213     400     000     -       10      13      0
Arizona        000     040     000     -       4       8       0
Harris, Hooper (5), Torina (7), Dieudonne (8) and Bitter; Crawford, Milo
(3), Elias (5), Duncan (9) and Meyer. W-Hooper (2-0). L-Crawford (4-4).
Hrs: UHBitter (4), Woodward (5), Allen (2); UAMeyer (2).