University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Cougars Head to California for Five Games
2/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HOUSTON -- After 12 games at home, the University of Houston Softball team will visit the state of California for five games between Feb. 23-26.
The Cougars will visit Cal State Fullerton in an 8 p.m. first pitch on Thursday, before seeing the likes of No. 17/17 Utah, rv/rv Oregon State, Northwestern and Purdue in the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., across the next three days.
Live stats will be available for all six games. Houston's game at CSUF will be streamed on BigWest.org, while the Cougars' participation in the Mary Nutter Classic will be carried on FloSoftball.com. For links to games, visit the schedule page on UHCougars.com or click HERE.
| at Cal State Fullerton/Mary Nutter Classic | ||
Thursday, Feb. 23 | • 8 p.m. | Houston at Cal State Fullerton Live Stats | Live Video | |
Friday, Feb. 24 | • 10:30 p.m. | Houston vs. Utah Live Stats | Live Video | |
Saturday, Feb. 25 | • 2:30 p.m. | Houston vs. Oregon State | Live Video | |
Sunday, Feb. 26 | • 11 a.m. | Houston vs. Northwestern | Live Video | |
SINGLES
• Houston is coming off a 3-3 week to close its 12-game homestead to open 2017 season. The Cougars opened the week with a 3-1 win over Houston Baptist on Wednesday, before going 2-3 in the Houston Classic with run-rule wins over Rhode Island, 12-0 (5), and Incarnate Word, 12-3 (6), over the weekend. Houston also pushed defending national champion No. 4/6 Oklahoma to its first extra-inning games of the season, dropping 7-5 and 2-1 decisions in eight innings by virtue of the international breaker.
• Freshman Trystan Melancon went 2-1 on the weekend. The native of Tomball, Texas, made her first career win a memorable on in a no-hitter of Rhode Island in a 12-0, six-inning run rule on Friday night. On Saturday, Melancon went toe-to-toe with the Sooners in a 2-1, eight-inning loss, before picking up another run-rule victory on Sunday against UIW. For her efforts, she was named to the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll.
• Senior Shelby Miller turned in a two home run game on Sunday against UIW to account for her conference-leading sixth and seventh home runs of the season. With seven homers, Miller co-leads the NCAA along with Alyssa DiCarlo of Georgia. Miller also leads The American with 19 RBI and 12 runs scored.
• On the season, Houston leads The American in batting average (.325), slugging percentage (.528), on base percentage (.405), hits (99), runs scored (71), RBI (65), home runs (15) and hit by pitch (10). Houston also bolsters five of the league's top 20 hitters in Maya Thomas (.485), Arielle James (.400), Kaylin Crumpton (.345), Shelby Miller (.333) and Sarah Queen (.333).
• Houston is a combined 5-3 all-time against the week's opponents. The Cougars are 2-0 against Utah, 2-2 against Purdue, 1-0 against Oregon State and 0-1 against Northwestern. Houston's game with CSUF is the first in program history.
OPPONENT PREVIEW
Cal State Fullerton
2017 Overall Record: 4-5
Head Coach: Kelly Ford
Record at School: 144-92-1 (5th Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
No. 17/17 Utah
2017 Overall Record: 8-0
Head Coach: Amy Hogue
Record at School: 268-229-1 (10th Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 2-0
Last Meeting: 2002 (W, 6-5)
rv/rv Oregon State
2017 Overall Record: 6-2
Head Coach: Laura Berg
Record at School: 114-103-1 (5th Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 1-0
Last Meeting: 2009 (W, 12-4)
Purdue
2017 Overall Record: 1-8
Head Coach: Boo De Oliveira
Record at School: 1-8 (1st Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 2-2
Last Meeting: 2014 (L, 2-5)
Northwestern
2017 Overall Record: 1-8
Head Coach: Kate Drohan
Record at School: 508-305-1 (6th Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 0-1
Last Meeting: 2012 (L, 9-13)
ON DECK
Houston will conclude its six-game road swing with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch at No. 18/18 Texas A&M on Wednesday, March 1.
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.
