HOUSTON, Texas--The University of Houston used a pair of late rallies to defeat North Dakota State 4-3 in nine innings in the first game and 6-3 in the nightcap to sweep a non-conference softball doubleheader played Tuesday, March 16, at the Cougar Softball Complex. The Bison have lost four straight, the Cougars have won eight in a row.

North Dakota State (14-11) is scheduled to play Sam Houston State (9-14) at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, in Hunstville. The Bison open Summit League play on Friday, March 19, against Centenary College in Shreveport, La.

Katy Beth Sherman walked to open the ninth inning for Houston (15-9), which swept a three-game Conference USA series from Southern Mississippi over the weekend. Sherman advanced to second on a Brooke Lathan sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a wild pitch. Ashleigh Jones hit the game-winning single with one out.

Lathan helped to forced the game to extra-innings with her solo home run to lead off the seventh. Lathan went 2 for 3 for the Cougars.

Houston pitcher Bailey Watts retired the Bison in order in the eighth and ninth innings to record the win. Watts struck out seven, allowed four hits and walked three over nine innings.

North Dakota State overcame an early 2-0 deficit with two runs in the top of the second. Brea Konz led off the second inning with a solo home run, her first of the season. Maryssa McKenzie later scored on a failed fielder's choice, hustling home on a ground ball.

Richel Briones, who went 2 for 4, put the Bison ahead 3-2 in the top of the sixth with her first home run of the season.

Whitney Johnson (9-8) recorded the loss for NDSU. Johnson allowed seven hits, walked four and struck out three in 8.1 innings pitched.

Houston hit four home runs in the second game. Melissa Gregson hit a two-run home run to center field to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Holly Anderson hit a solo shot to left center in the second to extend the advantage to 3-0.

North Dakota State bounced back with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Bison took advantage of three hits including RBI singles from Elisa Victa and Becca Gift along with an error to tie the game at 3-all. Gift went 3 for 3 for NDSU

However, the long ball hurt in the bottom of the sixth inning. Gregson hit her second home run of the game to lead off the frame. Angela Spitler belted a two-run homer to provide the Cougars cushion.

Baillie Lott and Amanda Crabtree pitched for Houston. Crabtree (5-4) picked up the win in relief. She struck out three, walked two and allowed three hits over the final 2.2 innings. Randi Parks (5-3) recorded the loss for the Bison. Parks allowed eight hits, walked one and struck out one.