University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Houston Classic
2/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Softball team will conclude its 12-game homestand hosting the Houston Classic across Feb. 17-19 at Cougar Softball Stadium.
The Cougars will host No. 4/6 Oklahoma, rv/rv Ole Miss, Incarnate Word and Rhode Island in a three-day, 12-game tournament format. The tournament will see five games played on both Friday and Saturday and two games on Sunday.
Live stats will be available for all 12 games. Houston's five games will also be streamed. Links for all 12 games can be found at the tournament central page on UHCougars.com or by clicking HERE.
Tournament tickets are valid from a day-to-day basis. Fans who purchase tickets for Friday will be able to attend all five games that day. The same is true for Saturday and Sunday games. Walkup tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth. Gates will open one hour prior to the first pitch of the first game of each day.
The Cougars' 4:30 p.m. tilt with Oklahoma on Saturday, Feb. 18, represents the program's 11th Annual Striking Out Breast Cancer game. A silent auction will be held during the game with all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen.
| Houston Classic | ||
Friday, Feb. 17 | • 9 a.m. | Oklahoma vs. Incarnate Word StatBroadcast | |
Saturday, Feb. 18 | • 9 a.m. | Rhode Island vs. Incarnate Word | |
Sunday, Feb. 19 | • 10 a.m. | Rhode Island vs. Ole Miss StatBroadcast | |
Coverage | Tournament Page | |
Houston Notes | Incarnate Word Notes | Oklahoma Notes | ||
SINGLES
• The Cougars are coming off a 3-1 win over Houston Baptist on Wednesday. Sophomore Brooke Vannoy accounted for all three RBI in a 2-for-3 performance with a home run, while sophomore Presley Bell improved to 2-1 in tossing her second complete game of the season.
• Houston is a combined 7-7 all-time against the Houston Classic field. The Cougars are 4-0 against Ole Miss, 2-0 against Rhode Island, 1-6 against Oklahoma and 0-1 against Incarnate Word.
• Houston's games against Oklahoma on Saturday pit Head Coach Kristin Vesely and Assistant Coach Jessica Shults against their alma mater and former coach in Oklahoma and Head Coach Patty Gasso. Vesley, who finished her career as the Sooners' all-time hits leader with 293 hits, was a four-year All-Big 12 selection and two-time All-American from 2003-06, while Shults (2010-13) was a three-time All-American and helped the program to a national championship as both a player (2013) and staff member (2016).
• Houston leads the American Athletic Conference in batting average (.333), slugging percentage (.503) on base percentage (407), hits (61), home runs (8), runs scored (38), RBI (36) and is tied for first in doubles (7). The Cougars also bolster four of the leagues top 20 hitters in Maya Thomas (.632), Sarah Queen (.421), Arielle James (.400) and Shelby Miller (.318).
• In Houston's first tournament, senior Shelby Miller turned in .368/1.053/.429 slash with four home runs, one double, 12 RBI, eight runs scored and two walks across six games. Miller's four home runs rank second in the country after opening weekend. For her offensive effort, she was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll.
TOURNAMENT PROMOTIONS
Friday, Feb. 17
• Free Food Friday
Giveaway(s): Free Pizza for Houston Students
Saturday, Feb. 18
• Striking Out Breast Cancer
Giveaway(s): Free "Striking Out Breast Cancer" to First 250 Fans, Pink Pom Poms
Sunday, Feb. 19
• Shasta's Kids Club Day
Giveaway(s): Free Ice Cream for All Shasta's Kids Club Members
OPPONENT PREVIEW
Rhode Island
2017 Overall Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Bridget Hurlman
Record at School: 12-32 (2nd Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 2-0
Last Meeting: 2008 (W, 8-1)
Ole Miss
2017 Overall Record: 3-1
Head Coach: Mike Smith
Record at School: 74-48 (3rd Season)
Career Record: 822-274 (7th Season)
All-Time Series: 4-0
Last Meeting: 2007 (W, 2-1)
Oklahoma
2017 Overall Record: 2-2
Head Coach: Patty Gasso
Record at School: 1,087-315-2 (23rd Season)
Career Record: 1,248-374-3 (27th Season)
All-Time Series: 1-6
Last Meeting: 2013 (L, 4-1)
Incarnate Word
2017 Overall Record: 2-3
Head Coach: Mandee Gamboa
Record at School: 82-132 (5th Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 0-1
Last Meeting: 2016 (L, 4-3)
ON DECK
Houston will hit the road for a five-game road swing next week. The Cougars will play their road opener at Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, Feb. 23, before taking part in the Mary Nutter Classic across Feb. 24-26 in Palm Springs, Calif.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter @UHCougarSB and "Like" /HoustonCougarSoftball on Facebook. Houston Softball is also on Instagram at UHCougarSB.
SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2016-17 athletic season. For only $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $5 for all four sports. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
JOIN 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. For more information, CLICK HERE.
