University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Baseball Top 20-Showdown Set vs. Alabama
2/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
| #3 HOUSTON (4-0) vs. #20 ALABAMA (3-0) | |
| SERIES BREAKDOWN |
| LOCATION | Houston, Texas - Cougar Field (3,500) |
| TICKETS | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| LISTEN LIVE | UHCougars.com/baseradio |
| WATCH LIVE | UHCougars.com - All Access |
| GAMETRACKER | | | |
| SERIES HISTORY | Houston and Alabama are tied, 6-6. |
| LAST MEETING | May 30, 2003 - (Houston 16, Alabama 8) |
| GAME NOTES | Houston Notes | Alabama Notes |
| WEEKEND PITCHING ROTATION | |
| 6:30 PM - FRIDAY | Hou | RHP Andrew Lantrip (So., 1-0, 0.00) Ala | LHP Taylor Guilbeau (Sr., 1-0, 0.00) |
| 6:30 PM - SATURDAY | Hou | RHP Jake Lemoine (Jr., 1-0, 0.00) Ala | RHP Will Carter (Jr., 1-0, 0.00) |
| 1:00 PM - SUNDAY | Hou | RHP Aaron Garza (Sr., 0-0, 5.40) Ala | RHP Geoffrey Bramblett (So., 1-0, 0.00) |
HOUSTON - A Top-20 showdown between No. 3 Houston Baseball and No. 20 Alabama will take place at Cougar Field this weekend as the Cougars and Crimson Tide clash for a three-game series, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The series will continue with Game 2 on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and wrap on Sunday at Noon.
All three games will be available to watch live on Houston's All-Access ($) by visiting UHCougars.com or fans can tune in to listen live at UHCougars.com/baseradio. Friday's game will also air on ESPN Deportes 1180 AM.
PROMOTIONS
Friday, February 20 - Pack the Park
- First 250 fans in attendance receive a RED UH Solo Cup.
- Friday Frenzy: $1 popcorn, $2 hot dogs, $3 sodas, $4 beers (21 years or older)
Saturday, February 21 - H-Day | READ MORE ABOUT THE DAY
Fans have the chance to be named the Coogs' Most Dedicated Fan.
The day features five home events on the UH campus: Women's Basketball (2 p.m. - SMU), Softball (3 p.m. - New Mexico, 5:30 p.m. - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), Baseball (6:30 p.m. - Alabama) and Men's Basketball (8:30 p.m. - Cincinnati), along with the 38th annual "H" Association BBQ (4-7 p.m.).
Fans can purchase an all-inclusive H-Day Ticket, which includes admission to all five UH games on the day and the "H" Association BBQ, for just $50 at UHCougars.com/hday. Tickets to the "H" Association BBQ can be purchased for $15, along with single-game tickets to all five home events for the day, at UHCougars.com/tickets.
- Baseball Bingo ... play Bingo all game long, win Prizes!
Sunday, February 22 - Daddy/Daughter Day - Kids Day
Kids have the chance to take part in Anthem Buddies, Run the Bases and postgame autographs.
**University of Houston students - FREE with your Student ID.
QUICK HITS ON HOUSTON
Houston, under fifth-year head coach Todd Whitting, returns to the field ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation and among the nation's Top 10 in all major polls after improving to 4-0 following a weekend sweep of Minnesota and an 11-5 midweek win over Texas Southern.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
In four games played, Houston has belted five homeruns compared to its 17 total a year ago. The Cougars are hitting .292 as a team, led by newcomers Connor Wong and Chris Iriart as well as junior Kyle Survance, all hitting .400 on the year. Wong and junior Ian Rice pace the team with six RBI each, while freshman Zac Taylor leads the team with seven runs scored from the No. 9 spot in the lineup.
As a team, Houston has recorded 22 walks and six hit-by-pitches for 28 total bases, while swiping 6-of-7 bases. The Cougars are fielding .981, having committed just three total errors in four games.
ON THE BUMP
On the bump, Houston starters Andrew Lantrip - who was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll as well as Jake Lemoine, combined to throw 10.0 shutout innings vs. the Minnesota in their first starts of the year. The Friday-Saturday due struck out 11 and allowed seven scattered hits in their outings.
Earning wins were Lantrip, Lemoine and junior Bubba Maxwell, who was the pitcher of record when the Cougars earned the walk-off win in the ninth on Sunday vs. the Gophers.
Freshman reliever Seth Romero made his debut and tossed 4.0 innings in relief last Saturday to earn his first save of this collegiate career, while senior Taylor Cobb countered that on Wednesday to earn his first save of his Houston career vs. Texas Southern.
Houston's pitching staff has held opponents to a .220 average, while compiling a 2.25 ERA in four games played. The Cougars have fanned 26 in 36.0 innings.
QUICK HITS ON No. 20 ALABAMA
Alabama is ranked as high as No. 20 in the nation and is among the nation's Top 25 in two of the five major polls. The Crimson Tide is coming off a 3-0 weekend where they swept Maryland-Eastern Shores in a weekend series.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Alabama is hitting .364 as a team, led by Casey Hughston's .846 average through three games, where he went 11-for-13 with six runs scored and eight RBI.
Mikey White followed with a .600 average and Kyle Overstreet hit .545 with a team-leading 10 RBI.
Alabama was 8-for-8 in stolen bases and committed just one error for a .991 fielding percentage in its three games played.
ON THE BUMP
Alabama pitching didn't allow a run in three games as all three starters earned a win. RHP Will Carter went 7.0 shutout innings with six strikeouts, while LHP Taylor Guilbeau went 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts and RHP Geoffrey Bramblett struck out three in 6.0 scoreless frames.
Out of the pen, the Crimson Tide used six pitchers with RHP Ray Castillo earning the team's lone save with five strikeouts in 3.0 shutout relief innings.
TIES WITH ALABAMA
Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard played for the Cougars in 1986-87 and coached the 1988 season under former Houston head coach Dr. Bragg Stockton - for his first coaching gig.
SERIES HISTORY
- Houston and Alabama have met 12 previous times, dating back to 1976.
- The all-time series between the two Cougars is even at 6-6.
- Last Meeting: May 30, 2003 - Houston 16, Alabama 8 (NCAA College Station Regional)
- Houston is 2-1 vs. Alabama at home, having last played at Cougar Field in 1999.
PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATION
Friday, February 20
Houston: RHP Andrew Lantrip (So., Livingston, Texas) - 0.00 ERA, 1-0, 5.0 IP, 1 BB, 5 K
Alabama: LHP Taylor Guilbeau (Sr., Slaughter, La.) - 0.00 ERA, 1-0, 6.0 IP, 3 BB, 7 K
Saturday, February 21
Houston: RHP Jake Lemoine (Jr., Bridge City, Texas) - 0.00 ERA, 1-0, 5.0 IP, 0 BB, 6 K
Alabama: RHP Will Carter (Jr., Gray, Tenn.) - 0.00 ERA, 1-0, 7.0 IP, 3 BB, 6 K
Sunday, February 22
Houston: RHP Aaron Garza (Sr., Galveston, Texas) - 5.40 ERA, 0-0, 5.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Alabama: RHP Geoffrey Bramblett (So., Hoover, Ala.) - 0.00 ERA, 1-0, 6.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 K
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 | ||
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
OPENING WEEKEND
• Houston will host Opening Weekend for the ninth consecutive season
• Cougars are 14-6 all-time during Opening Weekend under Whitting
• Cougars have swept the last three Opening Weekend series under Whitting
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.
