University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Houston Softball Opens Conference Play
3/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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HOUSTON - The University of Houston Softball program opens the 2015 American Athletic Conference season as the Cougars host USF for a three-game series this weekend.
The series opener begins Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by game two with a 20 min break between games. The teams close out the series with a single game on Sunday with a first pitch set for noon.
| Gameday Central >> Houston v. USF | ||
| Date | Time | Saturday, March 21 | 1 & 3 pm | Sunday, March 22 | Noon | |
| Location | Cougar Softball Stadium Houston, Texas | |
| Coverage | GAME 1: | Live Video  GAME 2: | Live Video GAME 3: | Live Video | |
| Social Media |    | |
Single Game Tickets | Season Tickets | Promo Schedule | ||
 | THE MATCH UP |
• Houston trails, 13-9
• Last Meeting: April 18-19, 2014 - Cougars dropped a three-game series to USF at Cougar Softball Stadium
| PROMOTIONS |
Saturday, March 21 - Salute to Service
• Active Duty military and veterans will receive free admission at the gate with a military ID.
• Both teams will be sporting camouflage jerseys
• The first 250 fans into the stadium will receive a rally towel
• A Wounded Warrior will throw out the first pitch
• Flag presentation in the outfield for the national anthem
• Fans can bring 2+ items on the approved list for Operation Gratitude and receive a coupon for $1 off at the concession stand. Operation Gratitude is a local organization that sends care packages to deployed military members. FULL LIST
• Recognition and remember heroes by writing hero's name on ribbon and tying along the fence
**University of Houston students - FREE with your Student ID.
Sunday, March 22 - Season Ticket Member Appreciation Day
• Season Ticket Member Tailgate postgame with Houston Softball
FULL PROMOTIONAL CALENDAR
| HITS ON HOUSTON |
• Houston enters the weekend after dropping two games to No. 13 Baylor Tuesday night.
• Senior catcher Kris Davila led the Cougars during game two of the doubleheader as she went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer, her first of the season.
| ON USF |
• Head Coach: Ken Eriksen (USF, `85) | 19th Season | Career: 810-408-1
• 2014 Results: 43-17 (13-5) | 2nd - The American | NCAA Regional Final
• 2015 Results: 28-8 (0-0)
• USF enters the weekend series on a four-game win streak.
• The Bulls shutout the last two opponents faced and has shutout opponents in five of the last eight games.
• Senior D'Anna Devine & Junior Lee Ann Spivey are the Bulls top players this season... Both batting .413, Spivey slugging .793 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 8 home runs.
• Senior pitcher Karla Claudio returns to the circle for the Bulls.. In 58.1 innings pitched, has allowed only 19 earned runs, 15 walks and 66 strikeouts.
| UP NEXT |
Houston Softball will host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday, March 25 for Los Coogs Night. The first 250 fans in the gates will receive a Rollabanner.
| SHE'S GOT THE JU-JU |
Junior pitcher/DP Julana Shrum blasted her 7th home run of the season, eighth of career in game one of the doubleheader against No. 13 Baylor.
She roped five bombs in seven games (March 3-8). Shrum hit two-run HRs in back-to-back plate appearances in game one of the HBU doubleheader and followed with a grand slam in game two. Shrum continued her streak and she belted a HR in the 7-2 win over Eastern Kentucky and one during the 5-0 victory against Iowa State.
In the 16 games played, Shrum is batting .378 with 17 hits, 7 home runs, 18 RBIs and 12 runs scored. She is the leader for slugging percentage (.844) in The American right now.
| LEADING 'LENA |
• Selena Hernandez is one of the Cougars' top hitters this season.
• Currently batting .344 with 31 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, and 25 RBIs while slugging .459.
•Reached base streak ended at 16, longest by a Cougar this season.
•Ranks in the top five of several batting categories among conference opponents.
| Hits | t-5th | 31 |
| RBI | 3rd | 25 |
| Doubles | 2nd | 9 |
| Triples | t-4th | 2 |
| Total Bases | 3rd | 50 |
| Walks | 5th | 17 |
On Defense, Hernandez has been a part of 12 of Houston's 21 double plays turned this season. She also leads the conference with the most assists (95) followed by teammate Shelby Miller (62).
Hernandez has been named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll twice this season for her performances.
| LIGHTNING ST. PIERRE |
Katie St. Pierre is off to another great start this season as she has racked up 36 hits in 30 games. Of those hits, five have been extra base hits including an in-the-park home run during the 5-0 win over Iowa State (March 7).
St. Pierre has wheels! She is now 9-9 in stolen base attempts. St. Pierre's career best is 15 stolen bases (2013).
As a slap hitter, St. Pierre has one of the highest On Base Percentage (.367) in the American Athletic Conference, often beating out the throw to first.
Category | Conf. Rank | Nat'l Rank | Total |
Runs | 2nd | 29th | 33 (1.11) |
Hits | 2nd | -- | 36 |
| TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM |
Freshman outfielder Kaylin Crumpton has taken one for the team, 15 to be exact. Crumpton has tallied 15 HBP this season and is well on her way to the record books for most HBP in a single season.
Crumpton leads the American Athletic Conference for most hit by pitches this season with 15. Teammate Courtney Klingler follows with just seven. With her 15 HBP, Crumpton is now fifth in school history for most HBP in a season. Crumpton also ranks sixth in the nation for averaging most hit by pitches per game (0.52).
Kendra Cullum broke the school record in 2013 with 38 and is ranked No. 2 in NCAA history for career hit by pitched (89).
| DOUBLE THE TROUBLE |
In the 30 games played so far this season, Houston has already turned 21 double plays. The Cougars continued their streak as they turned two double plays in the doubleheader against No. 13 Baylor. Houston now ranks fourth in the nation for DP turned per game played (0.68).
During the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic (Feb. 20-22), the Cougars turned three double plays against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, tied for the most double plays turned in a game.
Last season, the Cougars broke the single season record for most double plays turned (28).
| BUY SEASON TICKETS |
Fans can purchase season tickets online by visiting UHCougars.com/SBtickets and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
To purchase tickets in person, fans can visit the Athletics Ticket 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.
All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular-season softball home games with a valid student ID.
| SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW! |
Fans can purchase general admission single-game tickets beginning as low as $5 for youth and $8 for adults through UHCougars.com or by contacting the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
While single-game tickets are available, fans are encouraged to save and purchase 2015 season tickets. General admission season tickets are just $75 for 28 home games ($2.68 per ticket). Fans can also purchase season tickets online by clicking here or calling the ticket office 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
| 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).
