University of Houston Athletics
Preview: Cougars to Play in Annual Houston College Classic
2/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 29, 2012
HOUSTON-With the most anticipated and exciting college baseball tournament in the nation finally here, the University of Houston baseball team gears up for the annual Houston College Classic, presented by Ticketmaster, held at Minute Maid Park from March 2-4.
The Cougars are set to play Tennessee on Friday at 3:30 p.m., No. 4 Arkansas on Saturday at Noon and Texas Tech on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. All games will be available on ESPN3.
Houston is coming off a tough 4-1 loss to No. 5-ranked Rice on Tuesday, where the Cougars scored first and saw a dominating starting pitching effort from junior Austin Pruitt get overshadowed by the Owls' late rally.
Leading the way for Houston at the plate this season is junior Jacob Lueneburg with a .355 average. He is followed by senior Jake Runte's .344 average and team-high three doubles. Both Lueneburg and Runte, along with junior Casey Grayson have extended their streak of reaching base safely to eight.
ON THE BUMP
Houston's rotation will remain the same as seniors Jared Ray and Jordan Lewis; along with freshman Aaron Garza look to take the bump this weekend.
Ray will pitch Friday vs. Tennessee. The right-hander paces the club with a 1.50 ERA in two game starts. He has fanned 10 hitters in 12.0 innings for two no-decisions, while holding his opponents to a mere .214 average.
Lewis gets the call on Saturday vs. Arkansas. The southpaw holds a 2.53 ERA and a 1-1 record. In 10.2 innings pitched, Lewis has fanned four.
Garza will get his third career start on Sunday vs. Texas Tech as he the righty holds a 1-1 record and a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings pitched. In two game starts, Garza has fanned six.
HOUSTON HISTORY AT COLLEGE CLASSIC
Houston will compete in the Houston College Classic, presented by Ticketmaster for the 12th straight year, dating back to when the Houston Astros organization created the annual event in 2001. In 11 years, Houston holds an all-time record of 14-19 at the College Classic, including a perfect 3-0 record in 2010. The Cougars finished 2011 with a 1-2 record with a win over Kentucky, but fell to Baylor and Texas A&M. Senior Jake Runte was named to the 2011 Houston College Classic All-Tournament team as a third baseman.
A LOOK AT TENNESSEE
Tennessee and Houston will meet for the first time in school history on Friday. The Vols are 7-1 with a series sweep over Northern Illinois and Seton Hall, before falling to Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday in 10 innings for their first loss of 2012. Tennessee has played three extra-inning games this year and is led by Chris Pierce with a team-best 12 hits and 12 runs scored and a .387 average.
RHP Drew Steckenrider will get the start on Friday vs. the Cougars. He is fourth on the team with a 1.29 ERA and holds a 1-0 record in his two starts. In 7.0 innings pitched, Steckrider has allowed one earned run on five hits with six strikeouts.
A LOOK AT ARKANSAS
Arkansas and Houston will meet for the 59th time in school history on Saturday. The Razorbacks own the all-time series over the Cougars, 37-21. The last contest between these two clubs came on March 30, 1991 and this will mark the first time UH and Arkansas meet at the College Classic.
The Razorbacks are currently 9-1 on the year with series sweeps over Villanova, Northwestern State, BYU and two against Valpo. Arkansas dropped its only loss of the year to Valpo a week ago in 10 innings. Offensively, Matt Reynolds paces the team with a .469 average and five doubles.
Arkansas will throw Randall Fant on Saturday against the Cougars. The lefty has made one start this season, tossing 4.0 innings. He holds a 9.00 ERA and has allowed four earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts, but sits at 0-0 on the year.
A LOOK AT TEXAS TECH
Texas Tech and Houston will meet for the 82nd time in history as the Cougars own the all-time series, 43-38 over the Red Raiders. In neutral site play, Houston is 4-2 over Texas Tech. The series between the two teams dates back to 1973, where the Cougars won the double-header 8-5, 6-5. The last time these two teams met was at the Houston College Classic in 2010-UH won 15-8.
The Red Raiders are 8-1 on the season and will play Arkansas on Friday and Rice on Saturday before meeting Houston in the final game of the tournament on Sunday.
Barrett Barnes' .438 average, 14 hits, 11 runs scored, 12 RBI and three home runs lead Texas Tech offensively.
Getting the start against Houston will be RHP Shane Broyles. Broyles is 2-0 in two starts with a 3.60 ERA. In 15.0 innings pitched, he has allowed seven runs on 10 hits with nine strikeouts.
FOR TICKET/GENERAL INFORMATION
All three Houston games will be available on ESPN3, via radio Internet broadcast at UHCougars.com and on GameTracker.
Gates at Minute Maid Park will open at 11 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. Value passes are available: 3-Day pass for $30 (adults); $15 (children)
Daily Ticket Prices:
Adults: $13
Astros' Season Ticket holders: $6.50
Kids (4-14): $6.00
Students (w/ valid ID): $6.00
Kids (3 & under): Free
PARKING
Parking passes are available on a daily basis in the Diamond Lot for $20, Lot A for $10 and Lot B for $5. Daily parking is limited to one entrance only, with no multiple in & out parking permitted.
FOR STUDENTS
Student discounted tickets are available at the Minute Maid Park Box Office only.
- Show your student I.D. and for only $10 you get:
- Single-day general admission ticket
- Hot Dog
- 16oz Coca-Cola fountain Drink
FOR MORE INFORMATION and to PURCHASE TICKETS
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/fan_forum/college_classic.jsp
