University of Houston Athletics
Softball Returns to Practice
1/11/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 11, 2012
HOUSTON - The University of Houston softball program returned to practice this week as they look to defend their Conference USA regular season title from a year ago.
After Monday's practice was cancelled due to the flooding in the city, the squad enjoyed an extra day of Winter Break before returning to work on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Head coach Kyla Holas is easing the team back into playing shape as this week focuses on conditioning and skill.
"We're just trying to get them back in shape," said Holas. "We always encourage them to take a little time off during the holidays but sometimes they take a little too much. Next week we will really focus on softball. We do a little bit of skill, a little individual training right now but this week is more about getting the bodies ready to handle what's next to come."
Last year, the Cougars led the nation in team ERA and strikeouts per game on the strength of Amanda Crabtree and Donna Bourgeois as they advanced within a game of the College World Series. That dynamic pitching duo is gone, although Bourgeois remains around in a volunteer coaching positioning. Houston will look to be a much more aggressive and athletic team this year.
"Speed is a mentality, when you're aggressive like that you can really push the other team [into mistakes]. Speed kills in our sport, hopefully this can help change our game."
The Cougars could have plenty of chances to test out the speed approach this season as the base paths should be stocked. Houston returns ten letterwinners from last year's squad that ranked among the top two in C-USA in most offensive categories including batting average, slugging and on base percentage, hits, RBIs and home runs. Improving in stolen bases where they ranked eighth with only 33 could add to an already dynamic offense.
