University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Softball Hosts Home Opener This Weekend
2/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Purchase Tickets | 2016 Schedule | 2016 Season Stats | Game Notes
HOUSTON â€" Houston Softball opens the 2016 home slate this weekend as the Cougars host the Hilton Houston Plaza Invitational at Cougar Softball Stadium.
The Cougars are set to host Toledo, Ball State, Iowa State and No. 24 Texas during the three-day tournament. The team will play five games over the weekend, opening with Toledo on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Immediately following that game, Houston host Iowa State for a 7 p.m. first pitch.
On Saturday, Houston is scheduled to play Ball State at 3:30 p.m. and close day two vs. Toledo at 6 p.m. The team concludes the weekend with a 2 p.m. first pitch against Texas on Sunday.
All UH games will be streamed live on Houston All-Access.
| Gameday Central >> Hilton Houston Plaza Invitational | ||
| Date | Time | Feb. 19-21, 2015 | |
| Location | Cougar Softball Stadium Houston, Texas | |
| Schedule | Friday, Feb. 19 Houston v. Toledo | 4:30 pm Houston v. Iowa State | 7 pm Saturday, Feb. 20 Houston v. Ball State | 3:30 pm Houston v. Toledo | 6 pm Sunday, Feb. 21 Houston vs. No. 24 Texas | 2 pm | |
| Coverage | Live Stats | |
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Tickets | Promo Schedule | ||
 | HITS ON HOUSTON |
• Houston opened the 2016 season on the road for the second consecutive season at the Bulldog Kickoff Classic in Starkville, Miss.
• The Cougars finished 3-2 on the weekend and took second place in the tournament behind host Mississippi State.
• Senior centerfielder Katie St. Pierre led the Cougars with a .400 batting average with six hits and four RBIs. She also recorded two stolen bases in the final game against Mississippi State. St. Pierre is on a six game hitting streak dating back to the last game of the 2015 season (May 8, 2015). St. Pierre was named to the first American Athletic Conference weekly honor roll of the season for her performance.
• Senior LHP Julana Shrum (1-1) pitched her fifth complete game shutout in the season opener vs. Tennessee Tech (4-0). The southpaw last pitched a shutout was during the American Athletic Conference tournament last season when the Cougars defeated Memphis, 1-0, in the first round.
• Freshman RHP Presley Bell (1-1) pitched her first one-hitter, complete game shutout of her career in the 8-0 win over Alabama A&M on Saturday night.
• Freshman INF Brooke Vannoy started all five games for the Cougars at third base or behind the plate. She was the only Cougar to record two hits in a game (vs. Alabama A&M, Feb. 13).
| ON TOLEDO ROCKETS |
• 2016 Results: 1-2
• Head Coach: Kristen Butler (Florida, '06) | 2nd Season | Career: 25-34
• Letterwinner returning/lost: 10/6
• Series: First Meeting
| ON IOWA STATE CYCLONES |
• 2016 Results: 5-1
• Head Coach: Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler (Missouri, '01) | 11th Season | Career: 238-316-1
• Letterwinner returning/lost: 10/7
• Series: Houston leads, 5-1
| ON BALL STATE CARDINALS |
• 2016 Results: 2-3
• Head Coach: Megan Ciolli Bartlett (Notre Dame, '05) | 1st Season | Career: 2-3
• Letterwinner returning/lost: 13/7
• Series: First Meeting
| ON TEXAS LONGHORNS |
• 2016 Results: 5-0
• Head Coach: Connie Clark (Cal State Fullerton, '87) | 20th Season | Career: 774-333-3
• Letterwinner returning/lost: 14/5
• Series: Texas leads, 20-5
| 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).
| JOIN THE 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.
