Hough appeared in two of the three games out of the bullpen to start the year for Bates, in the Bobcats' first 3-0 start since 2010. On Saturday in the season opener, Hough finished off a 6-1 win for Bates with an inning and a third of perfect baseball, striking out two. He followed that up on Sunday by earning his second career save with two and two thirds innings of shutout ball, entering the contest with the bases loaded and the tying run on deck in the seventh inning. Only one inherited runner scored, on a passed ball, and Hough got out of the jam for Bates. Overall, Hough threw four innings of shutout ball, striking out four, and allowing just one hit and one walk.
