HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Marshall scored one run in a pair of Conference USA baseball tournament games and made a quick exit from Pete Jackson Park.

Third-seeded Houston (26-30) defeated seventh-seeded Marshall (22-32), 4-1, in a Thursday morning elimination game. Second-seeded Rice blasted the Thundering Herd, 13-0, in a seven-inning, mercy-rule contest Wednesday.

Marshall starter Shane Farrell pitched admirably Thursday, going 7.1 innings and allowing three runs on four hits. Reliever Chase Dempsay of the Cougars was the winner. Dempsay pitched 3.1 scoreless innings.

"It was a great game," Marshall head coach Jeff Waggoner said. "Shane Farrell came out and threw a heck of a game, and Chase Dempsay threw a great game. It was a tough battle."

Houston head coach Rayner Noble said Dempsay's performance was marvelous.

The Thundering Herd out-hit the Cougars nine to six, but mustered only one run.

Kenny Socorro started Marshall's third-inning rally with a single to left field. Adam Yeager reached base on a fielding error and Socorro advanced to third base. Brandon Casamassima's infield ground-out drove in Socorro.

Marshall left two base runners stranded in the fourth and fifth innings.

Houston tied it in the fourth inning when Caleb Ramsey tripled to right-center field and scored on Chase Dempsay's ground-out.

Jake Runte opened the Houston eighth inning with a double that was misplayed in the outfield. Zak Presley followed with a bunt single that drove in a run. The Cougars loaded the bases and scored two more runs on walks to take a 4-1 lead.

Marshall threatened in the ninth inning when Rhett Stafford walked, Kevin Shackelford reached on a fielder's choice and Socorro walked, but again left two runners on base.

Yeager, Victor Gomez and Nate Lape each had two hits for the Herd.

AP Video