Houston Stuns No. 21 Wake Forest 8-2 in Season Opener

Photo courtesy of University Houston Athletics

PONCE, Puerto Rico (TXAN 24) — The University of Houston opened its 2026 campaign with a statement win Friday morning, knocking off No. 21 Wake Forest, 8-2, at Estadio Paquito Montaner in the NCAA Division I season opener.

Houston (1-0) used timely hitting and dominant pitching to secure its first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 8 East Carolina in April 2023.

Senior right-hander Paul Schmitz set the tone early, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just two hits. Chris Scinta followed with four scoreless innings of his own to lock down the victory and earn his first career save.

Offensively, the Cougars broke things open in the third inning. Blake Fields and Jackson LaLima both reached to start the frame before Tyler Cox’s sacrifice bunt forced an errant throw that plated two runs. Houston added two more in the inning to build a 4-0 cushion.

LaLima finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Fields added two runs and an RBI in his collegiate debut. Antonelli Savattere drove in two runs, recording his fifth career multi-RBI game.

Wake Forest (0-1) trimmed the deficit in the sixth, but Houston answered with two insurance runs in the eighth to seal the 8-2 upset.

The Cougars continue play in the Puerto Rico Challenge Saturday at noon CT against Boston College.