After Houston starter Ricky Hargrove (7-5, 2.90) cruised through the top of the inning, Cougar leftfielder Jake Stewart hit the first pitch from Herd starter Chris Koutsavlis (6-6, 6.18) into the right-centerfield gap for a double, and we were off to the races. He eventually stole home on a double steal attempt to score the first run of the game.

Marshall responded with a run of their own in the top of the second. After a lead-off single by Adam Ptacek, Brent Mason executed a perfect hit-and-run to send the runner to third. Ptacek scored on a dropped flair by Houston shortstop Travis Cougot -- who has assists on the last four Marshall outs.

Cougar player of the year candidate Brad Lincoln hit a towering shot over the rightfield fence and onto University Drive as the Cougars regained the lead in the bottom of the 2nd. They currently lead 2-1 as Marshall bats in the top of the 3rd.

A pretty good crowd is starting to assembly, though you can count the attendance easily if you know how many Reckling Park seats are in the ahde. There's a definite Cougar red hue to the audience, though both sides have been pretty quiet to this point in the game. I expect the "Houston Cougars" chant to start before long, as offense should rule the afternoon despite a light wind blowing in from right.