University of Houston Athletics
Houston Ranked Preseason Top 25
1/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
HOUSTON -- Highlighted by the return of its top four hitters from 2016 and a pitching staff that ranked No. 2 in the nation a year ago in ERA, Houston Baseball has earned a Preseason Top 25 ranking by Perfect Game, polling in at No. 20, announced by the organization Wednesday.
Accompanying a core group of veteran returners, the Cougars are also expected to rely heavily on its newcomer class, which was ranked among the nation's Top 30.
Houston joins East Carolina (10) as the only two American Athletic Conference schools recognized by Perfect Game in the Top 25, while the Cougars sit third-best among Texas schools with TCU polling in at No. 1 and Texas at No. 17. Rice is right behind Houston at No. 21.
Among the Top 25 mentioned, Houston is set to play 10 games against ranked opponents, which will be highlighted by a home series at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park vs. preseason No. 15 Cal State Fullerton, March 3-5.
Houston will enter the 2017 season with a roster that features 21 newcomers, 15 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 and Preseason All-American 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.
The Cougars were selected to finish second in the 2017 American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, while Davis was named Preseason American Player of the Year. He was joined on the American's Preseason Team with Julks and Romero.
A year ago, Houston notched its fourth straight 35+ win season under seventh-year head coach Todd 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.
FAN APPRECIATION DAY
Want a sneak peek of your Houston Baseball team before Opening Night on Feb. 17? Join us at Noon on Saturday, February 11 for Fan Appreciation Day and Alumni Game. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as gates open at 10 a.m. All information on the day's activities can be found at UHCougars.com/Basefanday.
Gates open at 10 a.m. and fans are encouraged to register for the event, which is free of charge, in order to be placed in our prize drawings each inning. All fans that register will be entered in to win a variety of Houston Baseball prizes, including but not limited to autographed memorabilia, tickets to home games and more. Winners must be present at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park when their name is called in order to receive their prize.
To register, CLICK HERE (or sign into your account) if you are a current season ticket member or you can also visit UHCougars.com/Basefanday .
The Alumni Game will feature your 2017 Cougars vs. a roster of former standouts. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to watch batting practice, which begins at 10 a.m.
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 -- 2017 will mark the first time competing in the Whataburger Classic in Corpus Christi, Texas
2 -- Cougars to play two games at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, TX (Rice, Sam Houston State)
3 -- Houston has won the Silver Glove Series vs. Rice three straight seasons
8 -- 2017 schedule features eight home midweek games
12 -- The Cougars will open at home for the 12th consecutive season on Feb. 17-19
14 -- Houston will play 14 of its first 20 games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
17 -- Under Todd Whitting, the Cougars are 17-1 during Opening Weekend the last six seasons
29 -- Houston is set to play 29 home games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
121 -- The Cougars have won 121 home games under Whitting since 2011
SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
Houston Baseball 2017 season tickets are on sale now for as low as $99, and fans are encouraged to secure their ticket to all 29 home games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park this upcoming season by purchasing today.
Season tickets for 29 regular-season home games at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park are available for $200 for the reserved chairback seating on the lower level of the concourse at the stadium.
For the third straight year, the additional "Reserved 2" seating option for the 2017 season is available as fans can purchase an assigned seat in sections 200, 201 and 202 for $150.
All 2016 season ticket members should have received an email regarding the renewal process for 2017.
General admission seating will run in sections 203-209 and are available for $99 for the entire season.
The 2017 `30 Ticket Flex Plan' provides 30 general admission tickets that you can use in a variety of ways. You can use all 30 tickets for one game, a ticket for each home game of the season or any combination in-between.
General Admission season tickets start for as low as $99 (30 home games/$3.30 per ticket), while Reserved season tickets start at only $150 (30 home games/$5.00 per ticket).
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.
