University of Houston Athletics
Baseball Preps to Face Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday
4/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 14, 2008
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston baseball team returns to action at 3p.m. Tuesday, when the Cougars square off against Stephen F. Austin at Jaycees Field in Nacogdoches.
Houston, which is ranked No. 19 in the latest Collegiate Baseball Poll, enters Tuesday's game following a weekend series win against Conference USA-rival Tulane at Cougar Field.
Sophomore right-hander John Touchton will make his fourth start of the year when he takes the mound against the Lumberjacks. This season, Touchton has pitched to a 2-2 record and a 6.04 ERA, fanning 21 batters in 22.1 innings.
In his last start on April 9, the Houston native earned a no-decision, allowing six runs in 2.1 innings in Houston's 15-9 win over Texas State.
Freshman shortstop Blake Kelso has provided a spark at the top of the lineup for the Cougars this year. Kelso is hitting .329, scoring 32 runs, plating 29 RBI - mostly from the leadoff spot - and stealing 11 bases.
The Pflugerville native also has given Houston stability in the middle of the infield, providing steady defense and starting all 34 of the team's games.
During the weekend series against the Green Wave, Kelso helped lead the Cougars to a pair of wins. He rapped out a hit and drove in two runs on Friday before finishing 2-for-5 with a home run and a career-high four RBI on Sunday.
Senior infielder Bryan Pounds continues to swing a hot bat this season, as he has emerged as the main cog of the Cougars' offensive attack. Pounds leads the club with a .431 average, seven home runs, 38 runs scored and 42 RBI.
The Houston native went 5-for10 against Tulane, scoring a pair of runs and driving in three. He also has posted two hitting streaks of 10 or more games and has hit safely in 30 of his 32 games played this season.
Fans can hear all the action from Tuesday's game live on UHCougars.com with Jeremy Branham calling the play-by-play, while former UH letterwinner Pat Cauley provides the analysis.
Fans also can follow live stats via the Internet by clicking the "GameTracker" link on the UH Athletics home page.
The Cougars own a 33-10 all-time record against Stephen F. Austin and bring a three-game winning streak over the Lumberjacks into Tuesday's game. Houston also has notched wins in 21 of the last 22 meetings between the teams.
Senior southpaw Lance Luetge is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Lumberjacks. This season, Luetge has posted a record of 4-4 with a 4.22 ERA, striking out 23 in 49.0 innings.
Offensively, Stephen F. Austin is led by senior outfielder Kevin Crabtree. Crabtree leads the team with a .362 batting average, blasting five home runs and driving in 30 RBI.
Following Tuesday's game, the Cougars will return home when they face Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Cougar Field.
