By Steve Parkhurst

Houston opened the 2026 season on Friday morning in Ponce, Puerto Rico with an 8-2 victory over Wake Forest in the first game of the Puerto Rico Challenge . . . The game also marked the first of the 2026 NCAA season.

Right-hander Paul Schmitz returned to his once familiar role as Friday starter on the mound for the Cougars.

Still scoreless in the bottom of the third inning, Blake Fields led off the frame smashing a single into left field for his first collegiate base hit . . . The next batter, Jackson LaLima, was hit by a pitch to turn the lineup over with two runners on base and no one out.

Tyler Cox put a bunt down on the first base side and it was fielded by Wake Forest first baseman Kade Lewis, but the throw to first base sailed into right field allowing Fields and LaLima to cross the plate while Cox motored all the way to third base.

Tre Broussard walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch which also scored Cox from third base . . . Xavier Perez, who was hit on the back of the head by a pitch in his first plate appearance, followed with a single of his own . . . Antonelli Savattere singled to plate Broussard, the sixth straight Houston batter to reach base, and Houston took a 4-0 lead.

LaLima led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a ground rule double to left field . . . Cox singled home LaLima to extend the Houston lead to 5-0 and sent Wake Forest to the bullpen with no outs in the inning.

Left-hander Ryne Rodriguez took the mound to start the fifth inning, ending the day for Schmitz at 70 pitches . . . Schmitz allowed two hits and had two strikeouts while keeping Wake Forest off the scoreboard.

A sacrifice fly RBI to center field off the bat of Fields in the bottom of the fifth inning gave Houston a 6-0 lead.

Wake Forest got two runs back in the top of the sixth inning to close the deficit to four runs.

Left-hander Chris Scinta relieved Rodrguez in the top of the sixth inning and he was the last pitcher the Cougars used in the game as he was terrific over the next four frames.

The Cougars added two runs in bottom of the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly to right field by Broussard followed by an infield groundout by Savattere to push the lead back to six runs at 8-2.

Scinta closed out the victory on the 40th pitch of his outing, working around an error and a single . . . In recording the final 12 outs, Scinta allowed just two base hits and struck out two batters, a line similar to that of Schmitz . . . Scinta earned the save while Schmitz (1-0) recorded the win.

“Schmitz set a great tone against one of the best offenses in the country,” Houston head coach Todd Whitting said following the game, “Paul pounded the zone and went right at them.”

Whitting also offered praise for Scinta’s effort in the securing the win, “Chris did a great job of getting us out of a huge jam and that momentum gave him the ability to finish the game.”

“Today I was just attacking with the fastball,” Schmitz said after the game. “Whatever pitch was called, I wanted to throw the pitch and throw it with conviction.”

“The boys on defense, we take pride in their work,” Schmitz added. “I love my guys on defense, Jackson LaLima played some third base behind us today.”

Asked about his role over the upcoming season, and whether he will be a full-time starter or even pitch in relief, Schmitz noted, “We’re just here to get our name called and fill a role.”

In addition to his great plays at the hot corner, LaLima was 2-for-3 at the plate and reached base three times, batting in the ninth spot . . . LaLima crossed the plate all three times he reached base Friday and was the only Cougars hitter with multiple base hits . . . Across the diamond, Riley Jackson was excellent at first base, making two defensive gems.

“Overall, a great team effort,” concluded Whitting. “I’m proud of our club today.”

The Cougars return to action on Saturday in the Puerto Rico Challenge when they will face Boston College at Noon CT.

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