University of Houston Athletics
Softball Wraps Up Second Week of Practice
1/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 27, 2006
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team concluded its second week of practice Friday afternoon with a three-hour workout at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
Head coach Kyla Holas, who enters her sixth season with the program, is pleased with the progress the team has made as Opening Day closes in.
"We've improved a lot with our communication and are being much more aggressive across the board this past week," Holas said. "The mistakes we're making now are due to us being aggressive not passive, and I can deal with that. We're right on track to be ready for Opening Day."
The Cougars spent the week working on in-game scenarios with multiple scrimmages throughout the week. Holas has been especially impressed with the development of the offense.
"We've been scrimmaging a lot lately," Holas said. "It's starting to show because our offense is hitting off our pitchers more than they were in the beginning."
Houston found out earlier this week when the NFCA and USA Softball polls were released that it will face two ranked opponents, No. 22 Oregon and No. 19 Florida, during opening weekend at the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational. Kansas is also receiving votes in the USA Softball poll.
"Opening weekend is a huge weekend for us," Holas said. "We're hoping that with having a younger team, they won't look at the name on the other's team jersey and that they understand that on any day, anybody can win or lose."
The Cougars enter the next week's workouts in relatively good health as only a few players have missed minimal practice time. Holas' squad will be looking to tightening the screws with opening weekend only 14 days away.
"Next week we're looking to fine tune a couple of things," Holas said. "We'll be making sure that we can go seven innings in the circle, that we're staying focused offensively and defensively for two games. We'll be pushing ourselves mentally, so that we're ready in two weeks."
Houston opens the 2006 season against No. 22 Oregon in the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational. First pitch against the Ducks is slated for 4pm on Feb. 10 at the Cougar Softball Stadium. The Cougars face off against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 30 minutes after the conclusion of the season opener. UH students can catch all the action for free by showing their Cougar 1 Card.
