.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston Athletics
PREVIEW: Houston Hilton Plaza Classic
3/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HOUSTON -- After six games on the road and fresh off a 1-0 upset at No. 5/5 Texas A&M, the University of Houston Softball team will kickoff a 10-game homestand with the Houston Hilton Plaza Classic across March 3-5 at Cougar Softball Stadium.
The Cougars will host Louisiana-Monroe, Princeton, Sam Houston State and rv/rv Wisconsin in 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 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.
| Houston Hilton Plaza Classic | ||
Friday, March 3 | • 9 a.m. | Wisconsin vs. Louisiana-Monroe | |
Saturday, March 4 | • 9 a.m. | Princeton vs. Wisconsin | |
Sunday, March 5 | • 9 a.m. | Wisconsin vs. Princeton | |
Coverage | Tournament Page | |
SINGLES
• The Cougars are coming off a 1-0 upset at No. 5/5 Texas A&M. Sophomore Savannah Heebner went the distance in a complete-game shutout, her first of the season and fourth overall of her career. Factoring on both sides of the plate, Heebner also plated what proved to be the game-winning run on an RBI single in the third inning as part of a 1-for-3 performance.
• The 1-0 win at No. 5/5 Texas A&M marks Houston's first win over a ranked opponent since an 8-5 victory against No. 19 Baylor on April 12, 2016, and is the first shutout of a ranked opponent since a 3-0 blanking of No. 23 Tulsa on May 10, 2013.
• Houston is a combined 28-5 all-time against the Houston Hilton Plaza Classic field. The Cougars are 23-4 against SHSU and 5-1 against ULM.
• On the season, Houston leads the American Athletic Conference in hits (126), home runs (16), triples (4), RBI (81), runs scored (87) and hit by pitch (12).
• Sophomore Maya Thomas leads the conference with a .427 batting average. Freshman Arielle James (.429), junior Kaylin Crumpton (.310) and senior Shelby Miller (.288) also rank among the top 20.
• Senior Shelby Miller leads the league in home runs (7) and RBI (22), ranking third in the NCAA in both categories entering the week.
• In the circle, sophomore Savannah Heebner leads the Cougars with a 3-3 record and 2.56 ERA. Fellow pitchers Presley Bell (2-2) and Trystan Melancon (2-5) each have two wins on the season. Melancon leads the team with three complete games, including a no-hitter, and 30 strikeouts. Freshman Hannah Wolfe has made six appearances in relief.
• Last week, freshman Arielle James led team with a .571/.643/.647 slash across five games in California, going 8-for-14 with one double, four RBI and five runs scored. For her efforts, she was named to The American Honor Roll. The native of Moore, Okla., currently leads the league with 24 hits.
TOURNAMENT PROMOTIONS
Friday, March 3
• Military Appreciation Night
Free entrance for military personnel and their families with valid military ID.
Saturday, March 4
• Faculty & Staff Day
Houston faculty & staff get in for free with UH ID
Sunday, March 5
• Elementary School Day
Kids 12 & under receive $3 tickets all day
OPPONENT PREVIEW
Louisiana-Monroe
Record 11-5
Head Coach Corey Lyon
Record at ULM 65-61 (3rd Season)
Career Record 155-150 (6th Season)
Last Meeting: 2012 (W, 13-0 -- five innings)
Princeton
Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Lisa Van Ackeren
Record at Princeton: 85-97 (5th Season)
Career Record: Same
Last Meeting: N/A
Sam Houston State
Record 7-8
Head Coach Bob Brock
Record at SHSU 390-426 (16th Season)
Career Record 1,085-724-1 (33rd Season)
Last Meeting: 2016 (W, 15-4 -- five innings)
Wisconsin
Record 12-2
Head Coach Yvette Healy
Record at UW 215-133-1 (7th Season)
Career Record 336-305-2 (13th Season)
Last Meeting: N/A
ON DECK
Following the weekend, Houston will continue its 10-game homestand in a 5:30 p.m. first pitch against Georgetown on Tuesday, March 7.
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.
