University of Houston Athletics
Softball Opens Season Hosting the Marriott Houston Hobby Classic
2/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 10, 2010
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball team opens its 2010 season when they host the Marriott Houston Hobby Classic Feb. 12-14 at Cougar Softball Field.
In this tournament the Cougars will host 2009 Super Regional Finalists No. 14 Ohio State and No. 17 Baylor, in addition to Regional participant No. 22 Louisville, Kansas and Sam Houston State. Their first game is against the Buckeyes at 7 p.m. on Friday. This will be a great test for the Cougars as they try to break into the Top 25 for the first time this year, as they are already receiving votes.
Their next test will be against Louisville on Saturday at 5 p.m. They have a quick turnaround when they play at 7 p.m. against Kansas. Sunday, the Cougars have another back-to-back day with games at 5 p.m. against Baylor and at 7 p.m. against Sam Houston State. Baylor is the only team returning from last years' Classic, having dropped both meetings against the Cougars.
The 2010 Cougars
This weekend begins Houston's 10-year anniversary season. The Cougars return seven letterwinners from last season and welcome nine newcomers.
Pitching appears to be the strength as they head into the season. Two returning starters, Baillie Lott and Amanda Crabtree, will look to lead the team, with newcomer and high school standout Bailey Watts coming in to be the third starter.
"We are excited about the possibilities and depth of this staff," Kyla Holas said.
The infield will be full of new strong players, with only one letterwinner, Jennifer Klinkert, returning from last year's team. Replacing Conference USA standout Jessica Valis at shortstop is freshman Brooke Lathan. The probable starting third baseman, Holly Anderson, is also a freshman with many high school accolades and high expectations for her future. Mary Tyler Dobson is the expected starter at second base, after playing in the outfield for most of her 2009 season. Klinkert, who had early success in the 2009 season, batting .700 before being sidelined with an injury, was named to the 2010 Preseason All-Conference USA Team and is expected to be the leader of the infield at first base. Joining the infield is Kristen Lusby, a transfer from UTEP, making her no stranger to C-USA play.
The outfield also only returns one starter from the 2009 season, junior Katy Beth Sherman. She will be the leadoff hitter and the probable starting left fielder. The potential starter at center fielder will be freshman Ashleigh Jones. In her senior year, she led her team to a 28-2 season, securing an 11th place ranking by ESPN. The expected starter for right field is Tiffany Galletti. A Blinn College transfer, Galletti brings her Second-Team All-Midwest Region and All-Conference experience to the team. Also expected to see action in the outfield this year is Angela Spittler. Spittler was second on the team in steals despite having the fewest at bats of her fellow starters.
The starter at catcher this year is Melissa Gregson, who tied for the team lead with eight homeruns in the season and three during conference play because of the power shown, she was also the leader in walks for the Cougars last year. There are two new members joining the squad at this position, a transfer from Galveston College, Lauren Strickland and a freshman, Reina Gaber. Strickland helped her team win their conference championship and lead them to regional runner-up. She batted .333 and had 11 homeruns for the season. Gaber was a standout high school catcher, being named South El Monte High School Athlete of the Year during her senior season.
