Houston Softball Announces 2016 Schedule
10/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
2016 Schedule | PDF Version
HOUSTON -- Highlighted by 29 home games and two home tournaments, Head Coach Kyla Holas and the University of Houston Softball program announced the 2016 schedule Wednesday.
In her 16th season at the helm of Houston Softball, Holas and her staff have assembled a strong schedule featuring 10 teams that advanced to the NCAA tournament last year including Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, UCF, Arizona, Arizona State, Minnesota, Ball State, Mississippi State and Tennessee Tech.
"We try and play the numbers game when it comes to scheduling," Holas said. "The RPI is a big factor to postseason, and we want to make sure we put together a case every year that says we want to play with the best and compete. I am excited about our schedule this season and hope this team is prepared come February to take it on."
The Cougars open the 2016 season on the road at the Mississippi State tournament (Feb. 12-14). The team will play its first five games in Starkville, Miss., at the new MSU Softball Field.
Houston returns to Cougar Softball Stadium for the season home opener when the Cougars host the Hilton Houston Plaza Invitational on Feb. 19-21. The team welcomes Texas, Ball State, Iowa State, Toledo and Jackson State for the three-day tournament.
The Cougars head to Tempe, Ariz., on Feb. 26-28 for the Diamond Devil Invitational hosted by Arizona State.
For the final tournament of the season, Houston Softball hosts the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic when they welcome Incarnate Word and Texas Southern for the two-day tournament.
Holas has also scheduled several top regional opponents in Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Baylor, Lipscomb, Sam Houston State and McNeese State for the Cougars midweek non-conference schedules.
New this season, head coaches from the American Athletic Conference members voted to increase the conference series from two days to three days. All conference games will now be played Friday-Sunday, one game each day excluding the first weekend.
The Cougars open the American Athletic Conference season at home as they host Tulsa on March 24-26. The series has been moved up to Thursday-Saturday due to the Easter holiday on Sunday.
This season, Houston hosts Tulsa, UCF and Memphis while traveling to USF, East Carolina and UConn.
2016 SCHEDULE FACTS
Total Games: 55
Home Games: 29
Neutral Site Games: 7
Away Games: 19
Total Tournaments: 4
Home Tournaments: 2
American Athletic Conference Games: 18
American Athletic Conference Series: 6
Non-Conference Games: 37
Non-Conference Home Games: 21
Longest Homestand: 11 Games (March 12-26)
Longest Road Trip: 7 Games (April 18-May 1)
Total States Visited: 6 States (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina)
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Fan Experience Headquarters is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2015-16 athletic season. For just $50, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $8 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
STAY CONNECTED
For all the behind-the-scenes action, follow Houston Softball on Twitter @UHCougarSB and "Like" /HoustonCougarSoftball on Facebook. Houston Softball is now on Instagram (@uhcougarsb).