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Softball Announces 2017 Schedule
11/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HTML Schedule | PDF Schedule
HOUSTON -- University of Houston Softball Head Coach Kristin Vesely announced the release of the 2017 schedule for the Cougars on Friday morning.
The 55-game slate, highlighted by 32 home contests and three host tournaments at Cougar Softball Stadium, features 13 teams who advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2016, including Women's College World Series Champion Oklahoma.
"We scheduled a little tougher this year based on our level of talent and our desire to be a national powerhouse," Vesely said. "We brought in some top ranked teams and play 15-plus games against teams who finished in the top 30 in RPI last season."
The 2017 campaign marks the first for Vesely at the helm of the program after spending six seasons as an assistant coach.
"It's going to be really hard not to look at the win-loss column," Vesely said. "We are a highly competitive staff, and this team is ready to be in the hunt nationally. We expect to do well and are keeping track of where we are in our preseason. Our first focus is taking down each week as we go. Our main focus as a staff is seeing the transfer of our style of play from practice over to the season."
NOTES ON SCHEDULE
1 -- The 2017 season marks the first as head coach for Kristin Vesely
3 -- Houston will host three home tournaments in 2017
6 -- The Cougars will face six opponents for the first time in 2017
8 -- Houston will play eight teams which recorded 40 wins or more in 2016
11 -- The Cougars will play their first 11 games at Cougar Softball Stadium
13 -- Houston will play 13 teams who advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2016
17 -- The Cougars will play 17 games against top-30 RPI teams from 2016
32 -- Houston will play 32 home games in 2017
55 -- The Cougars will play 55 regular-season games in 2017
Houston will play its first 11 games at Cougars Softball Stadium, highlighted with the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational (Feb. 10-12) and Rawlings Classic (Feb. 17-19). Participants for the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational include Boston College, UC Santa Barbara, Wichita State and Wright State, while the tournament field for the Rawlings Classic features Incarnate Word, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Rhode Island. In between the two tournaments, the Cougars host Houston Baptist on Feb. 15.
Following the 11-game homestand, the Cougars travel out of state for a Feb. 23 matchup at Cal State Fullerton before taking part in the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., on Feb. 24-26, when they will face three NCAA Tournament teams from 2016 in Northwestern, Oregon State and Utah, as well as Purdue.
"The Mary Nutter Classic is absolutely an exciting tournament for us," Vesely said. "Anytime we can get to a new area and compete against teams that were in the postseason the previous year, it is our chance to measure up. It also gives us a chance to compete in a area where we are continually tying to attack in recruiting."
The Cougars open the month of March at Texas A&M on March 1 before returning home to host ULM, Princeton, Sam Houston State and Wisconsin in the Houston Hilton Plaza Classic on March 3-5.
Adding to the non-conference slate, the Cougars will make two road trips to face Texas (doubleheader, April 2), Stephen F. Austin (April 11), Baylor (doubleheader, April 18), McNeese (April 25) and UT Arlington (doubleheader, May 2). Home non-conference games for Houston include Georgetown (March 7), Prairie View A&M (doubleheader, March 10), Texas State (March 15), McNeese (March 29) and Lamar (doubleheader, April 4).
For a second straight year all American Athletic Conference series will be a three-game, three-day format. The Cougars host UConn (April 7-9), East Carolina (April 21-23) and USF (May 5-7) in league play while making visits to UCF (March 24-26), Tulsa (April 13-15) and Memphis (April 28-30).
"The American Athletic Conference is going to be tough this year," Vesely said. "There are going to be some battles, but I definitely expect us to be a contender. USF dominated last year both offensively and with their pitching. Tulsa and UCF are always tough opponents, and some of the other schools have continued to get better as well. It is going to be a dog fight for the conference title."
The 2017 American Athletic Conference Championship will be held at ECU Softball Stadium on the campus of East Carolina on May 11-13.
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SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2016-17 athletic season. For only $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $5 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
JOIN DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GOUH. For more information, CLICK HERE.