University of Houston Athletics
Softball Begins Spring Practice Monday
1/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 12, 2003
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team begins the 2003 season Monday (Jan. 13) with the start of spring drills at the Cougar Softball Stadium. The Cougar Fastpitch program is in its third year and is looking to be a contender for the Conference USA championship to be held in Houston this year.
The Cougars, who finished the 2002 season with a program-high 35-25 overall record, return 13 veterans and welcome six new faces to this year's squad.
Head coach Kyla Holas, who was named the first-ever Houston softball coach in 2000, is 57-58 in her two years at the helm of the Cougar program.
UH returns six starters and two starting pitchers from a year ago. Sophomore Kristen Glowacz, the 2002 C-USA Freshman of the Year, is the Cougars' top returner and will be expected to start at shortstop. Juniors Jamie Falco and Jenny Johnson, who recorded 15 wins apiece last season, will lead the Houston battery in 2003. Newcomers Crystal Briscoe and Brooke Johnson will also be expected to contribute on the mound this season.
Glowacz, who boasted a .342 average in her freshman campaign, and junior catcher Arelis Ferreris, who hit .305 last season, will lead the Cougar offense.
The Cougar trio of Lindsay Durham, Kim Nesloney and Brooke Johnson in the outfield will be a key defensive strength for Houston.
Houston opens the 2003 season at the SWT Tournament in San Marcos, Texas, Jan. 31- Feb. 2. The Cougars will face Southwest Texas State, Oregon, Arkansas, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas Tech in the weekend tournament.
Cougar Fastpitch begins its home schedule Feb. 14-16, as it hosts Sam Houston State, Texas Southern, Pittsburgh, Stephen F. Austin and Northern Iowa in the Hilton Houston Plaza Cougar Invitational.
Houston will host the 2003 C-USA Softball Tournament May 8-10 as the top six finishers will battle for the league championship.
