University of Houston Athletics
Preview: Baseball to Play in College Classic at MMP
2/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
| #9 HOUSTON (4-0) at COLLEGE CLASSIC | |
| WEEKEND BREAKDOWN |
| LOCATION | Houston, Texas - Minute Maid Park |
| GAMEDAY CENTRAL | GAMEDAY CENTRAL |
| LISTEN LIVE | UHCougars.com/baseradio |
| WATCH LIVE | MLB Network / ROOT Sports |
| GAMETRACKER | | | |
| COLLEGE CLASSIC HISTORY | Houston to make 16th appearance. |
| LAST TIME OUT | Coogs went 1-2 in College Classic in 2015. |
| GAME NOTES | Game Notes |
| PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATION | |
| 12 PM - FRIDAY | HOU | RHP Andrew Lantrip TTU | TBA |
| 3:30 PM - SATURDAY | HOU | TBA ARK | RHP Blaine Knight |
| 2:30 PM - SUNDAY | HOU | TBA TCU | TBA |
HOUSTON â€" For the 16th straight year, No. 9 Houston Baseball will face some of the nation's top competition when it competes in the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic at Minute Maid Park this weekend. The Cougars will face No. 23 Texas Tech at 12 pm Friday, No. 18 Arkansas at 3:30 pm Saturday and wrap with No. 13 TCU at 2:30 pm Sunday.
Houston will enter the weekend's tournament with a 4-0 record, while coming off a convincing 14-1 midweek win over McNeese State at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park Tuesday.
The Cougars officially broke into the nation's Top 10 this week when they were ranked No. 9 by Baseball America, moving up three spots from their preseason ranking of No. 12.
COLLEGE CLASSIC HISTORY FOR HOUSTON
For tickets to the College Classic: www.astros.com/collegeclassic
FOLLOW ALONG â€" GAMEDAY CENTRAL
Listen Live: UHCougars.com/baseradio
Watch Live: ROOT Sports SW or MLB Network or Cox Sports
Friday vs. Texas Tech â€" Live on ROOT Sports / Delayed on MLB Network until 1 a.m. CT on Sat., Feb. 27
Saturday vs. Arkansas â€" Live on RTSW Alt. 1 / Live on MLB Network
Sunday vs. TCU â€" Live on ROOT Sports SW and MLB Network
** All MLB Network games will be blacked out in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico
2016 Shriners Hospital for Children College Classic Schedule
Fri., Feb. 26 Houston at Texas Tech 12:05 p.m.
Louisiana-Lafayette at TCU 3:35 p.m.
Arkansas at Rice 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 27 Texas Tech at Louisiana-Lafayette 12:05 p.m.
Houston at Arkansas 3:35 p.m.
Rice at TCU 7:05 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 28 Arkansas at Texas Tech 11:05 a.m.
TCU at Houston 2:35 p.m.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Rice 6:05 p.m.
LAST AT-BAT
The Cougars are coming off a 4-0 start, which included an Opening Weekend sweep over Villanova that alone saw a combined 27 runs on 33 hits in the three wins. Houston earned a convincing 13-1 victory over the Wildcats to open the 2016 season before recording its first shutout of the year, a 4-0 win, in Game 2 Saturday. With a 2-0 series lead and down 2-0 in the first inning of Game 3 on Sunday, the Cougars rallied to win 10-3 for the sweep.
The Opening Weekend sweep marked the third straight year Houston has accomplished that feat and fifth time in six seasons under head coach Todd Whitting.
Houston moved to 4-0 on the year after a 14-1 win over McNeese State on Tuesday which saw a combined 13 hits, led by a five RBI effort from Davis and home runs from Casey and Davis.
QUICK HITS ON HOUSTON
As a team, the Cougars are hitting .319 â€" led by seven home runs, nine doubles and two triples. Freshman Joe Davis is hitting a team-leading .571 through four games and has driven in a Houston-high 11 RBI.
Sophomore Corey Julks follows with a solid .438 clip, while senior Justin Montemayor (.375), sophomore Clay Casey (.333) and sophomore Connor Wong (.313) all hold averages above the .300 mark. Senior Jacob Campbell is second on the team with 10 RBI and is tied with Casey for the team lead in home runs with two apiece.
On the mound, the pitching was equally impressive â€" led by American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week John King, who tossed 6.0 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and nine strikeouts for his first win as a Cougar vs. Villanova. The staff also saw a strong Opening Night performance by Preseason All-American Andrew Lantrip, who went 6.0 innings, allowing two hits with five strikeouts for the win.
Sunday's starter freshman Mitch Ullom put together a solid debut, going 5.0 strong innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts for the win. Tuesday starter junior Marshall Kasowski put together 5.0 innings without allowing an earned run and struck out a career-high seven in his first start as a Cougar.
In relief, the Cougars have used the arm of freshman Tanner Lawson twice in four games as the southpaw has tossed a combined 4.0 shutout innings with two strikeouts.
As a staff, the Cougars post a 1.00 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 36.0 total innings, while holding its opponents to a .160 average and just four earned runs in four games.
ABOUT TEXAS TECH
Texas Tech will enter Friday's contest vs. the Cougars with a 4-1 overall record, which included an 11-6 midweek win over Sam Houston State and a 2-1 series win over UW-Milwaukee. The Red Raiders enter the weekend ranked as high as No. 23 in the nation.
Leading the charge offensively for Texas Tech is Eric Gutierrez with a .563 average and a team-leading eight RBI. Stephen Smith follows with a .550 clip, while Tanner Gardner is hitting .500.
On the pitching side, RHP Ryan Moseley made the Friday start a week ago and went 5.0 innings, allowing one earned run with four strikeouts and now owns a 1.80 ERA through one start. Three Red Raiders have made at least two appearances out of the bullpen this season, Robert Dugger, Steven Gingery and Hayden Howard.
As a staff, Texas Tech owns a 2.60 ERA and has fanned 39 in 45.0 innings, while walking 21.
Probable Starters:
Houston: RHP Andrew Lantrip (0.00 ERA, 1-0, 6.0 IP, 5 K)
Texas Tech: TBA (announced later Thursday)
SERIES HISTORY vs. TEXAS TECH
Houston and Texas Tech have met 86 previous times, dating back to 1973. The Cougars own the all-time series, 44-42, and won the last meeting, 9-0, on March 1, 2014 in the College Classic.
ABOUT ARKANSAS
Arkansas will enter the weekend with a 5-0 record with back-to-back convincing wins over non-conference foe Mississippi Valley State. The Razorbacks hold a national ranking as high as No. 18 in the nation entering this week's play.
Prior to Arkansas and Houston's meeting on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., the Razorbacks will meet Rice at 7 p.m. Friday.
Arkansas is led by Eric Cole's .538 average, while Luke Bonfield is hitting .385 with a team-leading 10 RBI â€" thanks to two home runs thus far.
On the bump, RHP Blaine Knight made the start last Saturday in Arkansas' series win over Central Michigan where he went 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts for a 3.60 ERA in his first collegiate start.
Out of the bullpen, the Razorbacks have used the arms of six players, who have multiple appearancesâ€" led by Kacey Murphy's three appearances and 4.50 ERA in 2.0 innings.
Probable Starters:
Houston: TBA
Arkansas: RHP Blaine Knight (3.60 ERA, 1-0, 5.0 IP, 3 K)
SERIES HISTORY vs. ARKANSAS
Houston and Arkansas have met 59 previous times, dating back to 1975. The Razorbacks own the all-time series, 37-22, but Houston has won the last two meetings, including a 4-1 win in the College Classic back on March 3, 2012.
ABOUT TCU
TCU enters the weekend with a 3-1 overall record, which included a series win over Loyola Marymount and a 17-3 midweek win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Horned Frogs are ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation and are coming off a trip to the College World Series a year ago.
Leading the charge in the batter's box is Elliott Barzilli, who is hitting .688 with a team-leading 11 hits. He is followed by Josh Watson's .400 average.
On the bump, RHP Luken Baker made his collegiate debut start last Sunday in a win over Loyola Marymount. The freshman went 6.0 shutout innings, allowing just one hit with six strikeouts. Relievers Ryan Burnett paces the bullpen in appearances with three, while three other Horned Frogs have at least two relief appearances in four games.
Prior to TCU and Houston meeting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the Horned Frogs will meet Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Rice on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Probable Starters:
Houston: TBA
TCU: TBA
SERIES HISTORY vs. TCU
Houston and TCU have met 100 previous times, dating back to 1973. The Cougars own the all-time series, 52-46-2, but the Horned Frogs have won the last three meetings, including a 2-1 win in the College Classic on March 2, 2014.
ON DECK
Following the weekend at Minute Maid Park, the Cougars will return to Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park for the next five games, beginning with a midweek matchup on Tuesday, March 1 vs. UTSA at 6:30 p.m. Houston will then welcome in Baylor for a three-game series (March 4-6) and wrap up the home stand with a midweek matchup vs. Prairie View A&M on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m.
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
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.
