University of Houston Athletics
Houston Recruiting Class Ranked No. 24
9/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TUCSON, Ariz. - Houston Baseball's 2016 recruiting class earned national praise by Collegiate Baseball as the publication ranked the Cougars' newcomer class 24th nationally. Houston welcomed 23 new faces to the program this fall under seventh-year head coach Todd Whitting.
The 24th-ranked class is the highest ranked recruiting class since Whitting took over the program in 2011. The recruiting efforts for the Cougars' are led by recruiting coordinator Trip Couch and assisted by assistant coach Frank Anderson.
"This is a large and very talented group of incoming players," Whitting said. "We have a great balance of freshmen and junior college student-athletes, which will complement a solid core of returners. Our recruiting effort led by Trip Couch yielded what I feel is our best class yet."
Houston's class of 23 newcomers is made up of 16 freshmen and seven junior college players. 19 of the 23 hail from the state of Texas and 13 of the 19 are from Houston or surrounding areas.
The Cougars were able to secure three freshmen, who were all selected in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft in RHP Carter Henry (Port Neches, Texas), RHP Fred Villarreal (Brownsville, Texas) and C Nick Slaughter (Spring, Texas), but chose to attend Houston instead.
Arizona State earned the top spot on Collegiate Baseball's Top 40 rankings, while Ole Miss, North Carolina, Arizona, Auburn, Florida, LSU, TCU, UC Santa Barbara and Washington rounded out the Top 10.
At No. 24, Houston was the third-highest ranked team from Texas behind TCU (8) and Texas (18).
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NEWCOMER CLASS SHOWS WELL IN 12-3 WIN OVER TEAM USA
Houston faced the USA Baseball 18U National Team on Monday for a fall exhibition game and the Cougars' newcomer class showed well in the 12-3 victory at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park. The newcomers accounted for nine runs, nine hits and nine RBI, led by a 2-for-2 effort with a home run, four RBI and one run scored from freshman third baseman Jared Triolo (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis HS).
Also producing a multi-RBI game was leadoff hitter and redshirt sophomore transfer out of San Jac Community College John Grimsley, who were 1-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Freshman Lael Lockhart Jr. (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood HS) belted a home run to follow Triolo as the duo went back-to-back in their first collegiate at-bats.
Junior college transfer and shortstop Jake Scheiner (Santa Rosa, Calif./Santa Rosa JC) went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while sophomore transfer Rey Fuentes (Deer Park, Texas/Alvin CC) added two hits, a run and an RBI and freshman Slaughter contributed with a hit and run scored.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
Houston will enter the 2016-17 season with a roster highlighted by 23 newcomers, 16 of which are true freshmen. The Cougars return 12 from the 2016 season, led by All-American and American Rookie of the Year Joe Davis.
Also back for Houston is junior starting pitcher Seth Romero, junior outfielder Corey Julks, junior catcher Connor Wong, junior infielder Connor Hollis and freshman All-American pitchers from a year ago Mitch Ullom and Trey Cumbie.
A year ago, Houston notched its fourth straight 35+ win season under Whitting and advanced to the American Championship final for the third straight year. The Cougars finished with a record of 36-23 overall and a 23-9 mark at home, while also capturing the Silver Glove Series for the third straight year with a 2-1 record over Rice in 2016.
ABOUT THE 2017 SCHEDULE
The Cougars are set to host 29 home games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park with Opening Weekend set for Feb 17-19 in a three-team home event featuring Houston, Nicholls State, and Wake Forest.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
1 â€" 2017 will mark the first time competing in the Whataburger Classic in Corpus Christi, Texas
2 â€" Cougars to play two games at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, TX (Rice, Sam Houston State)
3 â€" Houston has won the Silver Glove Series vs. Rice three straight seasons
8 â€" 2017 schedule features eight home midweek games
12 â€" The Cougars will open at home for the 12th consecutive season on Feb. 17-19
14 â€" Houston will play 14 of its first 20 games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
17 â€" Under Todd Whitting, the Cougars are 17-1 during Opening Weekend the last six seasons
29 â€" Houston is set to play 29 home games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
121 â€" The Cougars have won 121 home games under Whitting since 2011
SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
Houston Baseball season ticket renewals and online purchases will be available soon. Check back at UHCougars.com and/or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at (713) GO-COOGS.
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.
