University of Houston Athletics
Opening Weekend Preview: Houston vs. Villanova
2/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
| #12 HOUSTON (0-0) vs. VILLANOVA (0-0) | |
| SERIES BREAKDOWN |
| LOCATION | Houston, Texas - Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park |
| GAMEDAY CENTRAL | GAMEDAY CENTRAL |
| LISTEN LIVE | UHCougars.com/baseradio |
| WATCH LIVE | UHCougars.com |
| GAMETRACKER | | | Sunday |
| SERIES HISTORY | First ever meeting |
| LAST SERIES | First ever meeting |
| GAME NOTES | Houston Notes | Villanova Notes |
| PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATION | |
| 6:30 PM - FRIDAY | HOU | RHP Andrew Lantrip VU | LHP Hunter Schryver |
| 6:30 PM - SATURDAY | HOU | TBA VU | RHP Ryan Doty |
| 1 PM - SUNDAY | HOU | TBA VU | LHP Mike Sgaramella |
HOUSTON - The reigning American Athletic Conference Champions return to play as the 2016 season gets underway this weekend at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park with No. 12 Houston Baseball welcoming in Villanova for a three-game series set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday: 6:30 p.m. / Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 6:30 p.m. / Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. / Gates open at 11 a.m.
PROMOTIONS - "Welcome Back Weekend"
Friday, February 19 - 6:30 p.m.
Friday Frenzy: $1 popcorn, $2 hot dogs, $3 sodas, $4 beers* (must be 21 years)
Saturday, February 20 - 6:30 p.m.
GIVEAWAY: First 200 fans / UH Cooler
Saturday Bingo: Play Bingo, Win Prizes.
Sunday, February 21 - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday Kids Day: Kids Zone with inflatables, Kids Run the Bases, Postgame Autographs
ON THE AIR / WATCH LIVE
Listen on the air with Jeremy Branham at UHCougars.com/baseradio - Pregame show starts 15 min. before ... Watch all home games on UHCougars.com's All-Access with a paid subscription.
PROBABLE ROTATION
Friday, February 19 - 6:30 p.m.
HOUSTON: RHP Andrew Lantrip
VILLANOVA: LHP Hunter Schryver
Saturday, February 20 - 6:30 p.m.
HOUSTON: TBA
VILLANOVA: RHP Ryan Doty
Sunday, February 21 - 1 p.m.
HOUSTON: TBA
VILLANOVA: LHP Mike Sgaramella
Houston Baseball returns to play after a 43-20 season a year ago, which saw the Cougars earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and host a Regional at home for just the third time in program history. Houston captured the American Athletic Conference regular-season title - the eighth in history.
INFIELD HITS
First Base
First base boasts a lot of depth for the Cougars with several players looking to compete for the everyday job. Seeing action in the offseason was freshman Joe Davis (Austin, Texas/Bowie HS), senior Jacob Campbell (Alvin, Texas/Alvin HS), freshman Wendell Champion (Houston/St. Thomas Catholic) and sophomore Derek Dickerson (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch).
Second Base
Second base will be manned by senior Josh Vidales (La Porte, Texas/La Porte HS), a preseason American Athletic Conference Team honoree and four-year starter. Vidales is considered to be one of the best defensive second baseman's in the game and didn't disappoint in 2015 after posting a .987 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 300 chances. Behind Vidales will be freshman Allonte Wingate (Beaumont, Texas/Beaumont Kelly HS).
Third Base
Third base will see senior Justin Montemayor (Austin, Texas/Anderson HS), who is a two-time All-Conference honoree and past Freshman All-American playing in his fourth and final season. Backing Montemayor up will be junior Jordan Stading (Katy, Texas/Second Baptist).
Shortstop
Shortstop will see a new face this season as Connor Wong moves from shortstop to catcher this season. The Cougars welcome in junior Jose Reyes (Houston/Blinn CC), who will see action as well as welcoming back sophomore Connor Hollis (Arlington, Texas/Lamar HS), who missed the entire 2015 season with an injury.
Catcher
Catcher also boasts a few options with Wong's (Pearland, Texas/Pearland) transition from shortstop to catcher this season. He joins both Campbell and junior Jon Tauzin (Richmond, Texas/McLennan CC) as an option behind the dish for the Cougars.
OUTFIELD HITS
A combination of speed and power will grace the outfield at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park in 2016. Only one everyday starting outfielder returns for the Cougars from a year ago in sophomore Corey Julks (Friendswood, Texas/Clear Brook HS), who was known for his two crucial homeruns during the Houston Regional last season.
Houston will have back sophomore speedster Zac Taylor (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South HS), who saw action in both center and left field as a true freshman a year ago and will return a key contributor from the 2014 Super Regional team in senior left fielder Michael Pyeatt (Lake Jackson, Texas/Brazoswood HS), who missed last year with an injury. Also returning is senior Robert Grilli (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) and sophomore Gino Marucci (Baton Rouge, La./University HS) - both of whom can play center and left field, respectively.
New to the outfield for the Cougars will be sophomore transfer Clay Casey (Memphis, Tenn./Northwest CC), who will showcase power in the lineup after belting 12 homeruns last season. Freshmen Grayson Padgett (Sour Lake, Texas/Hardin-Jefferson HS) and Caleb Morris (Spring, Texas/Spring HS) could also see some time in the outfield during their debut seasons.
ON THE MOUND
The Houston pitching staff will rely heavily on its experience from both the starters and relievers led by pitching coach Frank Anderson. The Cougars return one of the most dominant 1-2 punches in college baseball in junior Andrew Lantrip (Livingston, Texas/Livingston HS) and sophomore Seth Romero (West Columbia, Texas/West Columbia HS). The duo combined for 16 wins, 207 strikeouts and 196.2 total innings a year ago as weekend starters for Houston.
Lantrip finished the 2015 season ranked among the nation's Top 15 and led the American Athletic Conference in strikeouts with 115 and total innings at 113.1, while Romero, just a freshman, posted a league-leading 1.94 ERA in 22 appearances and eight starts.
The starting rotation and midweek starter are not set moving into Opening Weekend due to the depth the Cougars hold on that end. Junior RHP Marshall Kasowski (Conroe, Texas/Panola JC), junior transfer LHP John King (Missouri City, Texas/Angelina College), freshman RHP Mitch Ullom (Sweeny, Texas/Sweeny HS), and junior RHP Nick Hernandez (Missouri City, Texas/Dulles HS) could all see action as starters this season.
On the relief end, Houston returns junior RHP Bubba Maxwell (Vidor, Texas/Panola JC), who missed the 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery, and looks to be the Cougars' backend closer. Sophomore Aaron Fletcher (Cypress, Texas/Langham Creek HS) returns after a solid freshman campaign, making 21 appearances for a 1.37 ERA.
Houston has a strong crop of left-handed pitchers in its arsenal this year as freshmen Tanner Lawson (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak HS), Trey Cumbie (Lufkin, Texas/Lufkin HS), and junior Nathan Jackson (Houston/Alvin CC) will look to be used heavily out of the bullpen.
NOTES ON VILLANOVA
Villanova, a member of the BIG EAST Conference, located in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. will play its first 10 games away from home, beginning with a trip to Houston to play the Cougars.
The Wildcats are led by Joe Godri, who will begin his 15th season at the helm. He holds a 340-388-3 overall record. The 2015 Villanova team posted a 22-28 record and a 7-11 BIG EAST mark and failed to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Leading the way for Villanova a year ago and named to the BIG EAST Preseason Team, Todd Czinege, in 50 games last year, batted .327 and led with 70 hits for the year. He also ranked second on the team with 32 runs scored, 15 doubles, three triples and a .372 on-base percentage while also slugging .425, driving in 29 runs and stealing four bases in five tries. Czinege added to his conference recognition by earning All-Big Five honors at second base for the second straight year.
SERIES HISTORY
Houston and Villanova will meet for the first time in program history this weekend.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
Only two teams in the entire nations had to starting pitchers named to a Preseason All-American Team - Houston and Florida. Lantrip and Romero each garnered preseason accolades from national publications this offseason.
Lantrip | First Team (NCBWA), Second Team (Perfect Game/Collegiate Baseball)
Romero | Second Team (Perfect Game)
PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS
All six national collegiate baseball polls ranked Houston Baseball among its Top 25 entering the 2016 season after posting a 43-20 overall record last season and capturing the American Athletic Conference regular-season crown. The Cougars were ranked the highest by Baseball America at No. 12, followed by a No. 15 ranking by NCBWA, a No. 16 ranking by Perfect Game, a No. 18 ranking by Collegiate Baseball and USA Today Sports and a No. 22 ranking by D1Baseball.com. This marks the second straight year the Cougars were ranked among the Top 15 in any poll to open a season.
OPENING WEEKENDS UNDER WHITTING
Houston Baseball will open its season at home for the 11th consecutive year and sixth under head coach Todd Whitting. Since 2011 when Whitting took over, the Cougars are 14-1 with four weekend sweeps, including the last two years.
DARRYL & LORI SCHROEDER PARK
Thanks to a generous donation and the continued support from Coaches Committee members Darryl and Lori Schroeder, Houston Baseball and head coach Todd Whitting have announced that Cougar Field will be renamed Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
The Schroeder family brings a commitment to Houston Athletics that has been instrumental in the facility improvements and development of the overall student-athlete experience. The two have been proud supporters of Houston Athletics since 2003 and are current Corbin J. Robertson Society, Huddle Club, and Coaches Committee members and were influential in both the development of TDECU Stadium and the Guy V. Lewis Development Facility.
The contributions and lead gift made to Houston Baseball by Darryl and Lori Schroeder will go directly towards the new Baseball Player Development Center and Clubhouse that is expected to break ground later this month. The new 20,000+ square-foot facility will feature a new clubhouse, players' lounge, fueling station, video area, hot and cold tubs, training room, as well as a suite and lounge for in-game viewing.
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
BUY SEASON/ SINGLE-GAME / GROUP TICKETS
Houston Baseball will play 32 home games at Cougar Field this upcoming 2016 season and fans can purchase season tickets for as low as $99 online by visiting UHCougars.com/tickets and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
To purchase tickets in person, fans can 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.
Houston Baseball will offer variable pricing on its single-game tickets and group rates.
As noted in the table above, variable pricing occurs. For weekday (Tuesday/Wednesday) games, prices range from $5-$7 depending on the choice of seating.
Weekend ((Thursday) Friday-Sunday) online pricing will range from $6-$8 per game.
GROUP RATES
Group rates are also available (as noted in the table). Weekday (Tuesday/Wednesday) and Weekend ((Thursday) Friday-Sunday) pricing occurs. Groups of 10-24 are set at $4-$5 per person, while groups of 25+ are $3-$4 per person.
All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular-season baseball home games with a valid student ID.
2016 SCHEDULE QUICK HITS
OUR CITY
• 32 home games; 38 in the city of Houston
• First 12 games of the season will be played in the city of Houston
• 21 of the first 25 games will be played in the city of Houston
• 18 of the first 25 games will be played at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
OPENING WEEKEND
• Houston will host Opening Weekend for the 11th consecutive season
• Cougars are 14-1 all-time during Opening Weekend under Todd Whitting
COLLEGE CLASSIC
• Houston to make 16th straight appearance in Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park
• Cougars to face Texas Tech, Arkansas and TCU
• Cougars own a 20-25 all-time record in tournament; has earned seven wins over Top 30 teams
FIRST-TIME OPPONENTS
• Houston has three first-time opponents on the schedule: Villanova, Grand Canyon, George Washington
RICE & TEXAS IN SUGAR LAND, TEXAS AT CONSTELLATION FIELD
• Houston will meet both Texas (April 12) and Rice (May 17) for non-conference, midweek games at Sugar Land's Constellation Field.
NCAA TOURNAMENT COMPETITION
• 20 games this season will be played against an NCAA-tournament team from 2015
• Arkansas, TCU, Texas Southern, Rice, Texas A&M, East Carolina, Texas, USF, Tulane
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.
