University of Houston
Minnesota
Houston Homeruns Highlight Opening Night Win
2/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Cougars improved to 1-0 on the season and 12-1 on Opening Weekends since head coach Todd Whitting took over the program back in 2011.
The Houston offense strung together 10 hits on the night, including five for extra bases - three of which were homeruns. Leading the charge offensively was newcomer junior Ian Rice (Huntsville, Ala.) (2x3, R, 4 RBI) with a game-high four RBI on two hits, including a two-run homerun to put the Cougars on the board in the first inning.
Tallying three hits and three RBI in his collegiate debut was freshman Connor Wong (Pearland, Texas). Two of his three hits were for extra bases - a double and homerun.
Junior transfer Chris Iriart (2x4, R, RBI) and sophomore Connor Hollis (2x4, 3 R) each had a two-hit night and produced extra base knocks for the Cougars as Iriart belted a homerun and Hollis, a double, while scoring three runs for Houston.
Junior Kyle Survance added the other Houston hit, a single that opened up the scoring threat in the first.
Sophomore starting pitcher Andrew Lantrip (5.0,1,0,0,1,5) was dominant in his first start of the season and seventh of his career as he went 5.0 complete innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, while striking out five Minnesota hitters.
With that effort, he earned his first win of the year and seventh of his career - now sitting at a perfect 7-0 to open his second season as a Cougar.
Junior reliever Kyle Dowdy (3.0,3,0,0,1,0) relieved Lantrip in the sixth and tossed 3.0 shutout innings, surrendering just three hits and one walk. Junior transfer Austin Moore (1.0,2,1,1,0,0) pitched the ninth inning, allowing Minnesota's only run of the game on two hits.
Houston broke open the scoring gates in the bottom of the first inning after Rice belted his first homerun as a Cougar in his first at-bat of the season, scoring Survance who notched the Cougars' first hit of 2015 to leadoff the frame.
Lantrip silenced the Golden Gopher bats, allowing just one hit - a single up the middle to open the fourth inning.
After a two-run first inning, Houston stranded seven runners over the next three innings, but was able to scratch its third run across on a bases-loaded walk by Rice, plating Hollis - who reached on a hit by pitch to open the frame.
The Cougars scored in back-to-back innings when they plated two more runs and took a 5-0 lead on Minnesota. Iriart got things rolling for Houston with a one-out homerun, which was followed by a double by Hollis and an RBI-single by Wong, plating Hollis.
Houston's offense threatened in the sixth, but wasn't able to scratch anything across, leaving it up to the seventh, which saw three more runs scored. Hollis reached on a single and scored on a two-run homerun by Wong - his first of his collegiate career. Two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases once again for Rice, who capitalized with a sacrifice to centerfield, making it an 8-0 game through seven innings.
One final run for the Cougars crossed in the eighth after bases were loaded, allowing Taylor to plate Fulmer on a sacrifice fly.
Minnesota opened the ninth with a single and RBI-double for its only run of the game.
The Golden Gophers starter Ben Meyer (3.2,5,3,2,1,7) struck out seven, but was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in 3.2 innings of work.
Game Notes:
- RHP Andrew Lantrip improves to 7-0 in his career with first win of the year.
- Three of Houston's 10 hits were homeruns - all by newcomers
- Freshman Connor Wong led the team with three hits
- Junior Ian Rice led the team with four RBI
- Minnesota was held to just one hit through 6.0 innings
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Todd Whitting
On the offensive effort...
I thought we made great adjustments at the plate in about the third or fourth inning. We weren't having the best at-bats early, striking out a bunch on just fastballs. A lot of that was nerves. They were excited. It was Opening Night. We were trying to do a little too much at home plate and once we stopped trying so hard, the hits started to fall.
On the pitching staff...
The pitching staff was outstanding. [Andrew] Lantrip had a little too much adrenaline early, but he settled in there and pitched well. Kyle Dowdy is coming off an injury and has worked really hard to come back and pitch for us this season. I thought [Austin] Moore did a good job in the backend. He got into a little bit of a jam, but was able to pitch his way out of it.
Sophomore RHP Andrew Lantrip
On his pitching performance...
I was just trying to make quality pitches and get ahead of the batter every time. We have a great defense out there. Honestly, probably one of the best defenses in the country.
On opening the season...
Everyone was just ready to return to the field and play. We had a great offseason and saw a lot of guys develop. It was just nice to finally get out and compete against someone other than your own offense.
Junior catcher Ian Rice
On the offensive effort...
I was just trying to go out there and have some fun and help the team win. I think the hitters made some better adjustments near the middle innings and we hit well overall.
On his mindset at the plate...
I was just looking for something to drive - shorten up and hit something to the middle of the field.
PROMOTIONS
Saturday, February 14 - 6:30 p.m.
Love & Bae-sball: T-Shirt Giveaway to the first 250 fans through the gates
Saturday Bingo: Play Bingo, Win Prizes.
Sunday, February 15 - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday Kids Day: Kids Zone with inflatables, Kids Run the Bases, Postgame Autographs
**University of Houston students - FREE with your Student ID.
PITCHING ROTATION
Saturday, February 14
Houston: RHP Jake Lemoine (Jr., Bridge City, Texas)
Minnesota: LHP Dalton Sawyer (Jr., Waconia, Minn.)
Sunday, February 15
Houston: RHP Aaron Garza (Sr., Galveston, Texas)
Minnesota: RHP Neal Kunik (Sr., Eagan, Minn.)
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
With 31 home games set for 2015 at Cougar Field and a Top 10 nationally-ranked preseason program representing the University of Houston, the Cougars are proud to announce that single-game tickets are now on sale at UHCougars.com/Basetickets.
Along with the online option, fans can purchase tickets by visiting the Athletics Ticket Office at TDECU Stadium Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m. or can call 713-GO-COOGS.
Houston Baseball will offer variable pricing on its single-game tickets and group rates.
For the first time ever, the pricing breakdown will be determined whether or not you purchase your single-game tickets online vs. at the gate the day of the game as well as whether the Cougars play on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) or weekend (Friday-Sunday).
| 2015 Houston Baseball Single-Game Ticket Prices | ||||
| Weekday | Weekend | Weekday Walk-Up | Weekend Walk-Up | |
| Reserved 1 | $7 | $8 | $9 | $10 |
| Reserved 2 | $6 | $7 | $8 | $9 |
| GA | $5 | $6 | $7 | $8 |
| 2015 Houston Baseball Group Rates | ||||
| Weekday | Weekend | |||
| 10-24 | $4 | $5 | ||
| 25+ | $3 | $4 | ||
Weekday: Monday-Thursday; Weekend: Friday-Sunday.
As noted in the table, variable pricing occurs. For weekday (Tuesday nights) online purchases, fans can take in a game, ranging from $5-$7 depending on the choice of seating. If you choose to purchase the day of the game as a Weekday Walk-Up, you will pay roughly $2 more than the online price ($7-$9).
Weekend (Friday-Sunday) online pricing will range from $6-$8 per game, while Weekend Walk-Up pricing the day of the game will run a fan anywhere from $8-$10.
GROUP RATES
Group rates are also available (as noted in the table). Weekday (Tuesday) and Weekend (Friday-Sunday) pricing occurs. Groups of 10-24 are set at $4-$5 per person, while groups of 25+ are $3-$4 per person.
With single-game tickets available now, Houston Baseball still encourages supporters to become Season Ticket members and enjoy the attractive pricing and rewards that come with up-front purchasing for the entire 2015 season.
WHY ARE SEASON TICKETS MORE ATTRACTIVE?
Season Tickets are as low as $99 for general admission seating and the program offers an Anytime Tickets package that allows fans to use the 31 tickets how they choose (1 per game, multiple per game or all in one game). The Anytime Tickets are only available in general admission seating.
For just $200, you can enjoy reserved chairback seating on the lower level of the concourse at the stadium.
A new additional "Reserved 2" seating option for the 2015 season is also available with an assigned seat in sections 200, 201 and 202 for $150.
If you breakdown the season ticket pricing of $99 General Admission, the pricing of $150 for Reserved 2 or even the pricing of $200 for Reserved 1 (chairback), you are spending less money per game than purchasing single-game tickets.
HOW TO PURCHASE
To purchase tickets in advance, fans must visit the Athletics Ticket Stadium Office located on the northeast corner of TDECU Stadium, just outside of Gate 1 off Cullen Boulevard. Parking is available in the TDECU Stadium parking garage with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m. or you can call 713-GO-COOGS.
JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB
Nationally-ranked Houston Baseball would like to encourage those wishing to support the efforts and success of the baseball student-athletes to consider joining the Dugout Club for as low as $25 a month or $300 annually.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
LEVELS
PINCH HITTER
For a minimum monthly installment of $25 or a minimum one-time gift of $300, supporters can take advantage of the Pinch Hitter level, which will guarantee an invitation for two to exclusive Dugout Club events and Houston Baseball team apparel.
DIAMOND
For a minimum monthly installment of $100 or a minimum one-time gift of $1,000, supporters can take advantage of the Diamond level, which will guarantee batting practice passes for two to any home game, invitation for two to exclusive Dugout Club events and Houston Baseball apparel.
**Cougar Pride points will be applied accordingly.
For more information on joining the Dugout Club, please contact the Houston Baseball office at (713) 743-9396.
For more information regarding Cougar Pride, please call (713) 743-GOUH.
A LOOK AT THE 2015 SCHEDULE
For the ninth consecutive season, Houston will open its slate at Cougar Field, having accumulated a winning record of 14-6, which includes three straight weekend sweeps the past three seasons under Whitting - who will begin his fifth season at the helm.
"I'm really excited about this year's schedule," Whitting said. "It is probably one of the most competitive ones we have made since our staff took over in 2010."
Houston will open the season hosting Minnesota on Feb. 13-15. The Cougars and Gophers will meet for the first time since 1987 as they have met 25 previous times.
The home slate for the Cougars will continue with their third straight weekend series at Cougar Field when it welcomes first-time opponent Columbia for a four-game series, set for Feb. 27-March 1.
"Our fans will have a great opportunity to see us play against great opponents here in our city," Whitting said.
QUICK HITS
OUR CITY
• 31 home games; 36 in the city of Houston
• First seven games of the season played at Cougar Field
• 19 of first 21 games played in the city of Houston
• First five weekends played in city of Houston - four at Cougar Field
STAY CONNECTED
Stay up to date with all Houston Baseball news and highlights by following us on Twitter @UHCougarBB or on Facebook at /HoustonCougarBaseball. Fans can also follow head coach Todd Whitting @toddwhitting on Twitter.
