University of Houston Athletics
Baseball's Iriart Tabbed American Player of the Week
3/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Leading Houston Baseball to its second straight 4-0 week and to a sweep at New Mexico, junior Chris Iriart was tabbed the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Iriart, led the Cougars offensively, hitting .500 in the four wins this week, which included an 8-3 rout of No. 8 Rice and a sweep on the road at New Mexico.
The Chino Hills, Calif. native finished 7-for-14 with a team-leading six runs and four RBI. Of his seven hits, five were for extra bases including two homeruns in the series at New Mexico - bringing his total to a team-leading six on the year.
Iriart slugged 1.143 and added two doubles to his hitting barrage and had two hits in three of the four games.
With Houston and New Mexico tied at 7-7 in the top of the ninth in Sunday's finale, Iriart drove in what proved to be the game-winning run on a deep sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Iriart now leads the team with 11 multi-hit games on the year and is riding a six-game hit streak and has reached base safely in nine straight games.
Joining Iriart in being recognized by the American Athletic Conference for his dominating pitching effort on the week was true freshman Seth Romero, who earned two of the four wins this week - one as a starter and one in relief.
In 9.1 innings this week, the West Columbia, Texas native struck out 14, walked just two and allowed two earned runs on seven hits for a 1.93 ERA.
In his first collegiate start last Tuesday vs. No. 8 Rice, Romero struck out a career-high nine Owls in a career-long 6.1 innings for his second win of the year. He went on to collect his second victory of the week in an even more impressive outing out of the bullpen in Sunday's series finale at New Mexico.
With bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the seventh with Houston leading 6-5, Romero came in to control the damage and he did just that, striking out a pair and inducing an inning-ending flyout to keep the Lobos from tying the game.
He returned in the eighth and got in a bit of a jam, but worked his way out of it, only allowing two runs as New Mexico tied the game at 7-7. Houston took the lead in the ninth and Romero returned to close out the game, retiring the final three hitters. He struck out five Lobos in Sunday's win.
Iriart is Houston's first Player of the Week honor, joining Andrew Lantrip and Patrick Weigel - who were both named the league's Pitcher of the Week this year.
The American Athletic Conference announced RHP Carson Cross from UConn as this week's Pitcher of the Week.
Joining Romero on the Weekly Honor Roll around the league was Erik Barber (UCF), Tucker Tubbs (Memphis), Tommy Peterson (USF), and John Gandolfo (Tulane).
ON DECK
Houston will return home for its final home game of March when it welcomes Lamar to Cougar Field for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. The Cougars will then travel to open American Athletic Conference play at UCF next weekend.
You can follow all the action by listening in live at UHCougars.com/baseradio with Jeremy Branham on the call or by following via GAMEDAY CENTRAL at UHCougars.com/gameday.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS
With 31 home games set for 2015 at Cougar Field and a Top 10 nationally-ranked 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.
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.
