University of Houston Athletics
Preview: Baseball at No. 20 Tulane this Weekend
4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
| HOUSTON (23-16, 5-7) at No. 20 TULANE (27-13, 7-4) | |
| WEEKEND BREAKDOWN |
| LOCATION | New Orleans, La. |
| GAMEDAY CENTRAL | GAMEDAY CENTRAL |
| LISTEN LIVE | UHCougars.com/baseradio |
| WATCH LIVE | UHCougars.com |
| GAMETRACKER | | | |
| SERIES HISTORY | Houston and Tulane have met 69 previous times. |
| SERIES RECORD | Houston owns the series, 38-31. |
| GAME NOTES | Game Notes |
HOUSTON -- Houston Baseball will look to continue its winning ways when it returns to American Athletic Conference play this weekend as it travels to No. 20 Tulane for a three-game weekend series in New Orleans, La.
The series will begin Friday at 6:30 p.m., continue at 4 p.m. Saturday and wrap at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Cougars are coming off two wins, including a 4-3 midweek win over Sam Houston State, which snapped the Bearkats seven-game win streak -- improving Houston's record to 23-16 overall. The Cougars continue conference play with a 5-7 league record and are winners of their last weekend series, a 2-1 series victory over USF at home.
FOLLOW ALONG
Listen Live: UHCougars.com/baseradio
Watch Live: UHCougars.com
GAMEDAY Central: UHCougars.com/gameday
ON DECK
Following Houston's weekend series at Tulane, the Cougars will travel to Sam Houston State next Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. contest before hosting Prairie View A&M at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
HITS ON HOUSTON
Houston will return to play after earning a midweek win over Sam Houston State on Tuesday at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park. The Cougars are 23-16 overall will continue league play with a 5-7 mark.
The pitching has been the key for Houston this season as the Cougars continue to rank among the nation's Top 10 in several categories. Houston will enter Week 10 of the season, owning a league-best 2.37 ERA with four complete games and five shutouts to accompany 10 saves.
The Cougars have fanned 322 and walked just 70 hitters thus far through 338.0 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting just .216 against the staff.
2015 All-American Andrew Lantrip paces the weekend rotation with a 1.82 ERA and a 5-5 record in 10 starts. He has struck out 68 in 74.0 innings, while walking just four to rank first in the nation.
Sophomore Seth Romero is 4-3 with a 2.18 ERA in nine appearances and eight starts. He has struck out 70 in 57.2 innings, while opponents are hitting .173 against the southpaw.
Freshman Mitch Ullom is 5-2 in his first collegiate season, owning a 2.59 ERA in nine appearances and eight starts. He has fanned 25 in 48.2 innings, while walking just seven.
Out of the bullpen, Houston has relied heavily on the arm of junior Nick Hernandez, who owns a team-high seven saves and is 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA in 19 appearances. He has struck out 41 in 32.2 innings.
Offensively, Houston sits in the middle of the American with a .262 average and a .368 slugging percentage with 49 doubles, 10 triples and 22 home runs. The club is 46-of-54 on the base paths, led by sophomore Zac Taylor's 17-for-19 effort.
Leading the charge offensively for the Cougars is freshman Joe Davis with a .336 average, a team-high 51 hits, 11 doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBI.
Senior Michael Pyeatt follows with a solid .317 average, while sophomore Connor Wong is hitting .311 with 32 runs scored from the leadoff position.
HITS ON TULANE
Tulane will enter the weekend series with a 27-13 record and a 7-4 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Green Wave are winners of their last five games, including a 4-1 midweek win over No. 8 LSU at home.
Tulane is ranked as high as No. 20 in the nation currently and returns to conference play after a weekend sweep on the road at UCF this past weekend.
Tulane has a nation's-best 10 shutouts on the year and owns a 3.32 ERA in 357.2 innings. The staff has fanned 325 and walked 126, while holding opponents to a .241 average.
The Green Wave will look to RHP Emerson Gibbs on Friday vs. the Cougars. He is 4-2 with a 1.86 ERA in 10 starts this season, while fanning 59 in 67.2 innings.
LHP Ross Massey will more than likely get the nod on Saturday, owning a team-leading 1.43 ERA and a 6-2 record in 12 appearances and seven starts. He has fanned 38 in 63.0 innings.
RHP Alex Massey is slated to go Sunday, owning a 4-4 record and a 5.04 ERA through 10 appearances and nine starts.
Out of the bullpen, Tulane has seen a variety of arms with RHP Patrick Duester owning the team-lead in appearances with 14. He has two saves and a 4.84 ERA and has struck out 18 in 22.1 innings.
Offensively, Tulane is hitting .271 and slugging .430 with 70 doubles, 12 triples and 40 home runs. The Green Wave is 35-of-46 on the base paths and fielding .971 with 46 errors.
Leading the offensive charge is Stephen Alemais with a .328 average and nine stolen bases. He is followed by Hunter Hope's .298 average and team-leading 34 runs scored and 10 home runs. Jeremy Montalbano paces the team with 32 RBI and 10 doubles.
SERIES HISTORY
Houston and Tulane has met 69 previous times, dating back to the 1986 season. The Cougars own the all-time series, 38-31 and are 17-15 all-time in New Orleans, La. Houston has won the last two meetings -- both coming in a series on the road in New Orleans last year.
Houston and Tulane will meet three times this weekend for another three games to wrap up regular-season play at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park on May 19-21.
Houston was picked to win the American regular-season, receiving six first place votes, while Tulane was picked to finish second, receiving one first place vote.
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 has eight remaining home games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park 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.
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.
