University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Houston Opens 2017 with Host Tournament
2/8/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Softball team will open the 2017 season hosting the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational across Feb. 10-12 at Cougar Softball Stadium.
The Cougars will host Boston College, UC Santa Barbara, Wichita State and Wright State across the 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 12games 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 Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational serves as "Little League Weekend" and teams will get in for free if they register with Sara Crutcher by emailing sacrutch@central.uh.edu and provide a roster.
| Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational | ||
Friday, Feb. 10 | • 9 a.m. | Wichita State vs. Boston College • 11:30 a.m. | Wright State vs. Wichita State • 2 p.m. | UC Santa Barbara vs. Boston College • 4:30 p.m. | Wright State at Houston | • 7 p.m. | UC Santa Barbara at Houston | | |
Saturday, Feb. 11 | • 9 a.m. | Boston College vs. Wright State | |
Sunday, Feb. 12 | • 9:30 a.m. | Boston College vs. UC Santa Barbara | |
Coverage | Tournament Page | |
SINGLES
• Houston is a combined 2-3 all-time against the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational field. The Cougars are 2-2 against UC Santa Barbara, but are playing them for the first time at Cougar Softball Stadium, and are 0-1 against Wright State after falling 2-1 in nine innings at home on Feb. 26, 2006.
• Head Coach Kristin Vesely, who was named the second skipper in program history on June 10, 2016, enters her first season at the helm of the Cougars after serving six seasons on staff. Vesely originally joined the Houston family in 2011 as the Cougars' assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in 2014.
• The Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational is the first of three host tournaments for the Cougars. Houston will also host the Rawlings Classic across Feb. 17-19 and the Houston Hilton Plaza Classic across March 3-5.
• Houston will play its first 11 games inside the friendly confines of Cougar Softball Stadium.
• The Cougars return 12 letterwinners from last year, including All-American Athletic Conference selections in Savannah Heebner (First Team), Elise LeBeouf (Second Team) and Maya Thomas (Second Team). All three players were also named to The American All-Rookie Team. Heebner was a unanimous selection to both teams.
TOURNAMENT PROMOTIONS
Friday, Feb. 10
• Little League Weekend (Teams must register beforehand to get on pass list)
Giveaway(s): Free Pr1de T-shirts for First 250 Fans for 4:30 p.m. Game, Free Pizza for UH Students, Softball Posters
Saturday, Feb. 11
• Little League Weekend (Teams must register beforehand to get on pass list)
Giveaway(s): Softball Posters
Sunday, Feb. 12
• Little League Weekend (Teams must register beforehand to get on pass list)
Giveaway(s): Softball Posters
OPPONENT PREVIEW
Boston College
2016 Overall Record: 30-23
Head Coach: Ashley Obrest
Record at School: 124-138 (6th Season)
Career Record: 151-159 (7th Season)
All-Time Series: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
UC Santa Barbara
2016 Overall Record: 28-28
Head Coach: Brie Galicinao
Record at School: 231-254 (9th Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 2-2
Last Meeting: 2015 (W, 12-11)
Wichita State
2016 Overall Record: 36-21
Head Coach: Kristi Bredbenner
Record at School: 138-138 (6th Season)
Career Record: 464-239 (13th Season)
All-Time Series: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
Wright State
2016 Overall Record: 37-23
Head Coach: Justine Wichman
Record at School: 0-0 (1st Season)
Career Record: Same
All-Time Series: 0-1
Last Meeting: 2006 (L, 2-1)
ON DECK
Houston will continue its 11-game homestand at Cougar Softball Stadium and play its first midweek contest in a 5:30 p.m. first pitch against Houston Baptist on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
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.
