HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Houston Cougars capitalized on a critical Wake Forest error to erupt for four runs in the third inning and never looked back, defeating the Demon Deacons 8-2 in the season opener for both teams on Friday evening at M.O. Campbell Center.

The game, played on Feb. 13, 2026, saw the Cougars overcome an early deficit and a pregame projection that favored the visitors. Interstat’s ELO system had given Wake Forest a 66.6% probability to win.

Wake Forest struck first, pushing across two runs in the top of the sixth inning. After a leadoff double by Stein and a walk to Lewis, Wentz drove a double to right field to score Stein. Lewis later scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Costello, cutting Houston’s lead to 6-2.

The most important sequence of the game, however, came much earlier and set the tone for Houston’s victory. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third, the Cougars’ offense was ignited by a Wake Forest miscue. With Fields on second and Jackson on first after a single and a hit-by-pitch, Cox laid down a sacrifice bunt. Wake Forest first baseman Lewis fielded the ball but made a throwing error, allowing both Fields and Jackson to score and Cox to advance to third. The play completely shifted momentum.

The floodgates opened from there. Cox scored on a wild pitch, and later in the inning, Savattere delivered an RBI single to cap the four-run frame and give Houston a 4-2 lead it would not relinquish.

Houston added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, with Cox driving in Jackson with a single in the fourth and Fields lifting a sacrifice fly to score Maxcey in the fifth. The Cougars tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Broussard and an RBI groundout by Savattere.

Houston’s eight runs came on eight hits, supported by two sacrifice flies. Wake Forest managed seven hits but stranded multiple runners, going 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

Riley Jackson, Houston’s first baseman, was a catalyst, scoring twice, including after his ground-rule double in the fourth. Catcher Dylan Maxcey and left fielder McClane Helton also reached base multiple times for the Cougars. Wake Forest was led by Lewis, who had two hits, a walk and a stolen base.

Five Houston pitchers combined to limit the Demon Deacons. Starter Paul Schmitz earned the win, while Ryne Rodriguez and Scinta provided key relief. Troy Dressler took the loss for Wake Forest in relief of starter Blake Morningstar.

With the victory, Houston begins its season 1-0, while Wake Forest starts 0-1. The Cougars travel to face Boston College on Saturday. Wake Forest returns home to host Washington on Saturday as part of a busy early-season schedule.