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University of Houston Athletics
Johnson and Falco Lead Cougar Battery in 2003
3/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
February 2003
When the University of Houston softball team made its inaugural debut in 2001, freshmen Jenny Johnson and Jamie Falco did not know what to expect from head coach Kyla Holas and the young Cougar squad.
The freshmen hurlers were thrown immediately into leadership positions, earning starting spots on the mound and facing traditionally competitive teams such as Texas, Arkansas, LSU and Oregon. Game by game, the pitchers and squad improved and earned a trip to the 2001 Conference USA Tournament - not bad for a first-year program.
Added depth and experience made the difference at the start of the 2002 season as the Cougars opened with an 11-0 record en route to a 35-25 overall finish. Falco and Johnson led the Houston battery with a team-high 15 wins a piece and each earned spots at the top of nearly every school pitching record.
With two years of Division I experience under their belts, the juniors are ready to lead the squad to 35-plus wins and make an appearance in the Houston-hosted 2003 C-USA Softball Tournament.
Johnson looks forward to an added bonus as her younger sister, Brooke, a freshman who will see time in left field and as the lead-off hitter, will begin her college career at Houston.
"I love the fact that I will get to be on the field with my sister," she said. "I am looking forward to playing the conference tourney on our home field. I also love the day-to-day little things during the season - putting on cleats, pre-game warm ups, watching our team score five-plus runs an inning, the perfect pitch, striking someone out."
Despite what she refers to as her "share of ups and downs on the field," Johnson's team-leading 175 strikeouts, 27 starts and 33 appearances last year contributed to a 2.68 ERA and an invaluable experience.
"I have been more consistent off the field," Johnson said. "As far as academics, I feel I can also reach this team most by leading by example. It takes caring for the teammate next to you - doing or saying the little things that might take them out of that slump."
Johnson also uses the leadership she was naturally given as a pitcher in other areas such as academics and family life.
"It is important to make sure the team knows that this program is about so much more than softball," she said. "It's about taking responsibility, being respected and respectful, putting others before yourself and succeeding in life."
As Houston's top defensive pitcher, Falco also thrives on dedication and determination. As a sophomore in 2002, she led C-USA in batters struck out looking (27) and was fourth in Conference USA in total strikeouts (63).
"Jamie is one of the most dedicated softball players I have coached," head coach Kyla Holas said. "She pushes herself daily more than most professional athletes would. She is a true leader on the mound and finds a way to be the rock of our pitching staff."
Falco is currently the Cougars' all-time leader in career earned run average (2.78), wins (25), career winning percentage (.510), opposing batting average (.225) and shutouts (7).
The Cougars' 1-2 pitching tandem has been the focus of Holas and first-year assistant coach Beth McClendon in 2003. Both coaches have put additional time and effort into improving the two athletes' speed and specialty pitches. As her squad can attest, Holas' dedication and coaching style have proved very effective.
"Kyla is a very determined and goal oriented person -- a perfectionist who expects the same of her team," Johnson said. "She puts importance on every area of life such as studies and other responsibilities. You learn things from her that can be applicable to life after softball."
Holas and McClendon are both accomplished college pitchers in their own right, having etched their names in record books at Louisiana-Lafayette and Florida, respectively.
Despite all the accolades and record-setting, Johnson and Falco are most proud of helping to build and strengthen the Cougar Fastpitch program as a whole.
"It is great to be the first to play on our field, set the standard, and start a program that with only get better," Johnson said. "I hope we have made a good enough start to recruit bigger and better players to come in here and wipe out our [current players'] statistics. It is only the beginning for this program."
