University of Houston Athletics
Softball Hosts Marriott Hobby Invitational
2/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 24, 2005
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team is set to host the Marriott Hobby Airport Invitational at the Cougar Softball Field, this Friday through Sunday, Feb. 25-27, in the third of four tournaments being held by the Cougars.
The inaugural Marriott Hobby Airport Invitational will welcome three different schools to the Bayou City for the weekend. Making the trip to Houston is the University of Buffalo Bulls, the Central Connecticut Blue Devils, and the University of Northern Illinois Huskies, all of whom will be participating in their first games of 2005.
The weekend matchups will mark the first meeting between the Cougars and the three visiting schools. Houston opens play in the tournament on Friday, facing Buffalo at 4 p.m. and Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. On the second day of competition, the Cougars will again face the Huskies at 3 p.m., followed by the nightcap with Central Connecticut at 5 p.m. Closing out the three-day Invitational on Sunday will be Houston and Buffalo squaring off at noon.
Leading the Cougars so far in the 2005 campaign is senior centerfielder Kim Nesloney who is hitting .310 in 29 at bats with nine hits, seven runs, four RBIs, three homeruns, and a team-high eight walks. Also playing up to her usual high standards is third baseman Kristin Glowacz, with a .278 batting average, seven RBIs, four walks, and a team-high 10 hits.
Houston enters the weekend Invitational with a 3-9 record, in which the Cougars have played a grueling schedule thus far in the 2005 campaign. In its first 11 outings, Houston has played seven games against opponents ranked in the top 15 nationally. The Cougars earned their first win over a ranked team in 2005 with a 4-3 victory over No. 11 Baylor last weekend.
With all three teams entering the Marriott Hobby Invitational bringing a combined record of 48-105 last season, the Cougars are hoping to turn the corner on their season with this weekend's matchups.
The Bulls finished 2004 with a 25-23 and are returning sophomore outfielder Mary Russell, who was one of the team's top performers last season. In 2004, Russell had a .314 batting average, with 33 hits, 17 runs, and five RBIs for Buffalo. The Bulls were scheduled to begin their season in Arizona on Feb. 12, but rain canceled those games.
Coming off of a 9-41 record in 2004, Central Connecticut is looking to get 2005 off to a better start. The Blue Devils, who had a young team last season, return both of their top players in sophomores Pam Shifrin and Kristin Kropp. In the circle is Sarah Mardis, a Spring, Texas, native who threw a team-high 46 strikeouts last season.
Northern Illinois makes its trip to the Space City after last season's 14-41 finish, but brings back a more experienced lineup that includes seven returning starters and two returning pitchers. Junior Outfielder Kelly Drozd is the leading returnee from the 2004 team. She held a batting average of .265, had 43 hits, and had 22 runs last year.
The Marriott Hobby Airport Invitational gets underway at noon Friday, Feb. 25 with Buffalo and Central Connecticut, followed by Central Connecticut and Northern Illinois at 2 p.m., Houston and Buffalo at 4 p.m. and finishing of Day 1 with Northern Illinois and Houston at 6 p.m.
