University of Houston Athletics
Softball Begins 2014 Campaign
2/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 12, 2014
| HILTON HOUSTON PLAZA CLASSIC | |
|---|---|
| When | Feb. 14-16 | Tournament Central |
| Where | Cougar Softball Stadium |
| Online |  Video | Live Stats |
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| Tickets | More Info |
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| Game Notes | |
Houston Softball begins its 14th season of competition this weekend as the Cougars host the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic from Feb. 14-16. Cougar Softball Stadium will play host to 13 games between the five teams (Army, Houston, No. 9 Nebraska, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin).
Houston opens its season with a 2 p.m. contest against Sam Houston State before taking on the Cornhuskers immediately afterwards. The Cougars will play a total of six games with two each day. On Saturday, Houston faces Army at 4:30 and Sam Houston State at 7:30. The Cougars close out the opening tournament weekend with 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. gamest against Army and Stephen F. Austin on Sunday.
The weekend is set for a competitive field of softball as three teams (Houston, Nebraska and Army) all advanced to the NCAA Regionals in 2013.
Houston returns nine letterwinners, six position starters and three pitchers from last year's squad. Bolstering the 2014 squad, head coach Kyla Holas welcomes six newcomers including four transfers and two freshmen to the team.
Senior catcher Haley Outon, the 2013 C-USA Player of the Year, enters her final season closing in on numerous school records as the slugger continues to climb in the NCAA charts. The native of Pflugerville, Texas, needs four home runs and 31 RBI to tie Kristen Glowacz for the school records. Outon earned NFCA All-Region and All-Conference honors for the second-straight year as she led the league in home runs (16), RBI (62), BB (41) and slugging percentage (.731).
Sophomore Katie St. Pierre enjoyed a remarkable rookie campaign starting all 61 games in center en route to setting a school record for hitting streak (21). The native of Flower Mound, Texas, also established program-records for freshman batting average (.371) and on base percentage (.469) while being named NFCA All-Region Second Team, First Team All-Conference and All-Freshman.
Kendra Cullum earned her reputation as a selfless player in 2013 leading the NCAA in hit by pitches (38) and ranking third in sacrifice hits per game (0.36). Cullum's sported a .493 on base percentage and the Conroe, Texas, native made the most of her time on the base path also scoring a school-record 53 runs. Cullum switches from shortstop to the outfield this year giving Houston even more athleticism across the diamond.
Junior Kayla Holland enjoyed a breakout season last year to the tune of batting .313 and logging 13 doubles. The Katy native started 57 games at second base and will be counted on as one of the leaders of the team moving forward.
Inside the circle, Diedre Outon returns for her senior campaign. The righty has logged 295.1 innings over her career sporting a 29-17 record with a 2.70 ERA. Junior Summer Groholski and sophomore Julana Shrum give the Cougars three returning starting pitchers.
Juniors Jaime Edwards and Sydney Gerbracht provide UH with even more experience as the two have started a combined 134 games the past two seasons.
Six newcomers join the program with four transfers headlining the group. Juniors Tiffani McKnight, Kris Davila, Alexis Dunn, sophomore Selena Hernandez and freshmen Hayley Chamberlain and Alexis Dunn comprise the Cougars new incoming class. McKnight ranked among the top of the NJCAA in batting average, hits, steals, home runs and RBI and will look for immediate playing time in the outfield.
Nebraska has their own potent pitcher/catcher twin combo similar to Houston's Outon connection. Tatum Edwards leads the way for Nebraska inside the circle and is one of 13 returning All-America pitchers in 2014. The 2013 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Edwards ranked 11th nationally in shutouts (10) and 12th in victories (30) last spring while also delivering 10 home runs. Twin sister Taylor was a third-team All-American catcher in 2011 and ranks fourth among active players with 109 career walks and fifth with 159 RBI.
Seven position starters and one pitcher return from last year's team that went 16-32. Senior shortstop Elizabeth Arana was selected to the Preseason All-Southland Conference First Team after earning first team postseason honors last year. Arana led the Southland Conference in batting average and was second in on-base percentage in league play last year
SHSU head coach Bob Brock returns 12 letter-winners including five starters in the field and three starting pitchers. Top hitters returning for the Bearkats include infielder Tiffany Castillo (.380), second baseman Alyssa Coggins (.354), designated player Hillary Adams (.339) and outfielder Jessica Slater (.328).
Cullum has the third-most HBP for a career in NCAA history (1. 92 Mariah Gearhart, Oklahoma St; 2. 67 Myesha Finney, Auburn).
Ten Cougars earned NFCA All-American Scholar Athletes in 2012-13 (Holly Anderson, Jaime Edwards, Reina Gaber, Sydney Gerbracht, Ashleigh Jones, Diedre Outon, Haley Outon, Katie St. Pierre, Tess Soefje and Bailey Watts)
Head coach Kyla Holas always strives for points of emphasis on where to create/protect runs on the scoreboard during the offseason and preseason camp. In 2012, Houston put an emphasis on base running and the Cougars were off to the races with a program record 111 steals. Last season, the Cougars stretched singles into doubles to the tune of 90 two-base hits, another program record. Houston looks to bolster their home run production in 2014.
