University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Baseball to Play Four Games vs. Columbia
2/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
| #3 HOUSTON (6-2) vs. COLUMBIA (0-0) | |
| SERIES BREAKDOWN |
| LOCATION | Houston, Texas - Cougar Field (3,500) |
| TICKETS | Friday | Saturday (1) | Saturday (2) | Sunday |
| LISTEN LIVE | UHCougars.com/baseradio |
| WATCH LIVE | UHCougars.com - All Access |
| GAMETRACKER | | (1) | (2) | |
| SERIES HISTORY | First meeting all-time |
| LAST MEETING | First meeting all-time |
| GAME NOTES | Houston Notes |
| WEEKEND PITCHING ROTATION | |
| 6:30 PM - FRIDAY | Hou | RHP Andrew Lantrip (So., 2-0, 0.75) Col | RHP George Thanopoulos (Jr., 0-0, 0.00) |
| 2:30 PM - SATURDAY | Hou | RHP Jake Lemoine (Jr., 1-0, 3.00) Col | RHP Kevin Roy (Jr., 0-0, 0.00) |
| 6:30 PM - SATURDAY | Hou | TBA Col | TBA |
| 1:00 PM - SUNDAY | Hou | TBA Col | TBA |
HOUSTON - Houston Baseball will return to Cougar Field this weekend when it welcomes in Ivy League opponent Columbia for a four-game series, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The four games this weekend will continue on Saturday with a scheduled doubleheader at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and wrap on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Cougars' four games are part of a quick five-game homestand as they host Houston Baptist on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.
All four 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.
SATURDAY TICKET INFORMATION
For Saturday's doubleheader, fans will purchase one ticket for both games. For more information, visit UHCougars.com/Basetickets or call 713-GO-COOGS.
PROMOTIONS
Throwback Weekend
Friday, February 27 - 70's Night
- Friday Frenzy: $1 popcorn, $2 hot dogs, $3 sodas, $4 beers (21 years or older)
Saturday, February 28 - 80's Night (6:30 p.m. only)
- Bingo at the Ballpark - watch the game, play bingo and win!
- First 250 fans at Cougar Field: Red Go Coogs slap bracelets (6:30 pm only)
Sunday, March 1 - 90's Day
- Kids Day (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 play ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation and among the nation's Top 10 in all major polls. The Cougars are coming off of back-to-back losses to No. 20 Alabama and at Texas State on Wednesday, the first of the season as they enter the weekend with a 6-2 overall record and a 6-1 mark at Cougar Field this season.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Houston is hitting .288 as a team and has four players hitting over the .300 mark, led by junior Ian Rice with a .400 average and a team-leading 10 RBI and 12 hits. Freshman Zac Taylor follows with a .385 clip and a team-high 12 runs scored. Junior Kyle Survance leads the team with six stolen bases, which accompanies a .313 average, while freshman Connor Wong it hitting .300 with 10 RBI and a slugging percentage of .600.
As an offensive unit, the Cougars have reached base safely on 41 walks and 13 hit-by-pitches for 54 free passes, while swiping 14-of-16 bases.
ON THE BUMP
On the bump, Houston starter and this week's American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week Andrew Lantrip improved to 2-0 on the year with now back-to-back Friday night wins over Minnesota and Alabama. He paces the team with an ERA of 0.75 and in 12.0 innings, he has fanned 10 hitters and walked just two.
Starter Jake Lemoine is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA, while senior Aaron Garza is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA as weekend starters for the Cougars. Out of the pen, junior Bubba Maxwell is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, and in his 3.1 innings of relief, he has fanned four.
Junior Kyle Dowdy leads the team with four appearances out of the bullpen and holds a 0.00 ERA in 5.0 innings of work.
As a staff, the Cougars own a 3.17 ERA with 52 strikeouts to just 21 walks. Opponents are hitting .253 against the group.
QUICK HITS ON COLUMBIA
Columbia, a member of the Ivy League, will make its first game appearances of the year this weekend - entering with a 0-0 record in 2015. The Lions are coming off their second consecutive Ivy League title after posting a 29-20 record in 2014 and a 15-5 mark in league play.
Columbia advanced to the Coral Gables NCAA Regional and fell 3-2 to Texas Tech and 6-5 to Bethune-Cookman to bow out of postseason play.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Columbia hit .264 as a team last season and will return its top two offensive players from a year ago in Will Savage (.320, 14-16 SB) and Jordan Serena (.305, 25-30). Also returning are Gus Craig, who hit .277 and David Vandercook, who finished second on the team with 34 RBI and five homeruns.
The Lions stole 64 bases last season and held a fielding percentage of .975.
ON THE BUMP
Columbia will return 10 pitchers who saw action in 2014, led by RHP George Thanopoulos (5-2, 2.60 ERA, 3 SV, 52.0 IP, 40) and RHP Kevin Roy (6-5, 3.06 ERA, 67.2 IP, 49 K). The Lions lost their ace in David Speer, who was 7-2 on the year with a 1.86 ERA in 12 starts.
Out of the pen, LHP Mike Weisman went 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA in a team-leading 15 appearances out of the bullpen, where he fanned 18 in 19.2 innings.
The staff held an ERA of 3.36 and in 414.2 innings, they struck out 343 and walked 159. Columbia pitching held opponents to a .234 average.
SERIES HISTORY
- Houston and Columbia will meet for the first time in program history.
- Columbia will be the first of four opponents this season that Houston will meet for the first time.
PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATION
Friday, February 27
Houston: RHP Andrew Lantrip (So., Livingston, Texas) - 0.75 ERA, 2-0, 12.0 IP, 2 BB, 10 K
Columbia: RHP George Thanopoulos (Jr., Highland, Calif.) - 2.60 ERA, 5-2, 52.0 IP, 18 BB, 40 K(2014)
Saturday, February 28 - 2:30 p.m.
Houston: RHP Jake Lemoine (Jr., Bridge City, Texas) - 3.00 ERA, 1-0, 9.0 IP, 2 BB, 9 K
Columbia: RHP Kevin Roy (Jr., Houston, Texas) - 3.06 ERA, 6-5, 67.2 IP, 23 BB, 49 K
Saturday, February 28 - 6:30 p.m.
Houston: TBA
Columbia: TBA
Sunday, March 1
Houston: TBA
Columbia: TBA
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.
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.
