University of Houston Athletics
2012 UH Baseball Season Preview: Catchers/Pitchers
2/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 14, 2012
HOUSTON-- With the 2012 Opening Day just days away, the final set of previews of the two-part series highlighting the University of Houston baseball team will showcase an in-depth look at the Cougar catchers and pitchers.
CATCHERS
The third preview focuses on the Cougar catchers led by senior John Cannon. The Hutto, Texas native finished the 2011 season with a .284 average in 58 starts all behind the plate. He notched 55 hits, 13 of which were for extra bases in 194 at-bats.
Cannon is one of six seniors on this year's squad and Whitting looks to him as a solid battery mate to the entire pitching staff, which features several key returners.
The catching and pitching duo success this season will begin with Cannon as he helps solidify the expectations the coaching staff has on a strong defensive game.
"I thought John [Cannon] was our most improved player last season as he excelled at controlling the opposing teams' running game," said Whitting.
Freshman Cory Kay will serve as Cannon's backup this season. The Arlington Heights, Ill. native was an All-Area, All-Conference and Team MVP honoree.
"Each one of our catchers has done a great job of handling our staff in preseason practice. Cannon and Kay are both very capable behind the plate and will solidify our team up the middle," said Whitting.
PITCHERS
To wrap up the previews, we introduce the 2012 baseball pitching staff and what head coach Todd Whitting believes to be the team's strength heading into the season opener.
A LOOK AT THE STARTING ROTATION
Considered one of the Cougars' strongest assets this season, the starting rotation returns two key members of its staff from a year ago. Looking to get the ball on Friday nights will be senior Jared Ray.
The 6-foot-3 right-hander out of Waco, Texas, recovered from a 2010 shoulder injury to make five starts in 2011. Ray finished with a record of 1-1, a 3.28 ERA, and 12 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched.
Ray left the 2011 season, tossing an impressive 8.0 inning performance against Conference USA foe, Rice in the C-USA Championship game allowing eight hits and striking out four for the no decision.
"Jared is going to play an integral role for us this year as our Friday night starter," said Whitting. "His combination of experience and leadership is vital to the success of our team this season. He is 100% healthy for the first time in years and is anxious to pitch Opening Day."
Senior Jordan Lewis is penciled in as the Cougars' Saturday starter after seeing the most action for Houston last season. Lewis finished 2011 with a 3.75 ERA, a team-best five wins for a 5-3 record in 15 game starts. He tossed one complete game and one shutout, while fanning 55 in just 81.2 innings of work.
The 5-foot-11 southpaw from Phoenix, Oregon, played his first year in a UH uniform last season after transferring in from Western Nevada College.
"Jordan returns after gaining valuable experience in our rotation last year and will also be a huge key to our success this season," said Whitting. "He has worked hard to develop his secondary pitches and I look forward to watching him compete."
With needed depth, Whitting and staff have options for their Sunday starter as they have their eyes on senior righty Codey Morehouse, a junior transfer and lefty Matt Hernandez as well as freshman righty Aaron Garza.
Morehouse, a Houston native, compiled a 5.26 ERA, a 3-5 record in 10 game starts with 40 strikeouts. Hernandez helms from Richmond, Texas where he played two seasons for Blinn College and Garza joins UH from Galveston, Texas and Ball High School.
"I am excited about the depth and experience of our pitching staff. We return numerous pitchers from last season that have a great deal of experience along with a few very talented newcomers," said Whitting on strength of staff.
A LOOK AT THE PEN
Having options out of the bullpen excites Whitting as he continues to stress the importance of compiling a championship team. The strengths out of the pen begin with two returners in senior Mo Wiley and junior Jordan Mannisto.
Wiley, a 6-foot-4 righty out of Katy, Texas, brings starter material out of the pen. He finished 2011 with 12 starts, second-most on the team, while compiling a 4.63 ERA, a 4-4 record with one complete game in 70.0 innings worked.
Mannisto, a 6-foot-1 right-hander out of Westlake Village, Calif., returns after leading the team in 2011 with 24 game appearances. He totaled four wins out of the pen, a 3.78 ERA and notched a team-best four saves.
"The back end of our staff is much deeper than last season and thus should be less taxing on our arms," said Whitting. "We will look to Mannisto and Wiley to finish games for us this year along with a few other young, but capable pitchers."
Newcomers whom Whitting will look to immediately will be junior transfer Aaron Stewart, a 5-foot-11 lefty out of Blinn College and Alvin, Texas, freshman Ryan Vruggink, a 6-foot-2 righty from Houston and Austin Pruitt, a 5-foot-11 junior right-hander out of Navarro JC.
"The added depth of our incoming class will be not only be a positive for this year's team but also going forward lay a tremendous foundation for our pitching staff down the road," said Whitting.
UP NEXT
Houston will open the 2012 season this Friday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. against Delaware and will continue the three-game series on Saturday at 2 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Cougar Field.
