University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
UConn
Preview: vs. UConn*, Bark in the Park Weekend
3/21/2019 2:30:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars open four-game homestand
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team opens American Athletic Conference play hosting UConn in a three-game series at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park starting Friday.
Games on Friday and Saturday get underway at 6:30 p.m., while the Sunday finale is slated for 11:30 a.m. Gates open two hours prior to first pitch for every game.
It's "Bark in the Park" all weekend long, and fans are invited to bring their favorite K-9 friend.
BARK IN THE PARK" RULES & WAIVER:
• All owners must sign a waiver in order to bring their dog into the Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park. To find the form, click HERE.
• Owners and dogs are welcome to sit in grassy areas within the ballpark.
• Dogs must be a non-aggressive breed, good in crowds of dogs and people, not in heat, in good health and current on all vaccinations.
• Dog must be under 70 pounds.
• Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
• Children with dogs must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older at all times.
• Owners must promptly bag and dispose of any waste created by their dog.
On Friday, the Houston Athletics Ticket Office will also grant free entry to kids 12 & under who wear their youth baseball uniform with $3 tickets available for parents.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (10-9, 0-0 The American) vs. UConn (11-7, 0-0 The American)
March 22-24 | Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
G1: Live Stats | Live Stream | Live Audio
G2: Live Stats | Live Stream | Live Audio
G3: Live Stats | Live Stream | Live Audio
All-Time Series: Houston leads, 12-7
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: Houston LHP Lael Lockhart Jr. (1-2, 4.62) vs. UConn LHP Mason Feole (0-0, 5.56)
Saturday: Houston RHP Ryan Randel (2-1, 2.30) vs. UConn RHP Jeff Kersten (3-0, 4.18)
Sunday: Houston TBA vs. UConn TBA
SINGLES
• Houston enters play in The American with a 10-9 record and is coming off a 1-0 decision on Tuesday at McNeese in Lake Charles, La.
• Against the Cowboys, senior center fielder Grayson Padgett collected both of the team's hits, while junior Sean Bretz stuck out a career-high six batters in four scoreless innings of relief.
• On Monday, senior first baseman Joe Davis was named to The American Athletic Conference's Weekly Honor Roll. Davis, one week after being named the Player of the Week by The American and Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award, turned in a .308/.412/.769 slash, going 4-for-13 with two home runs, three walks, eight RBI and three runs scored. His home run on Sunday broke Houston's career total bases record set by Brandon Caraway (435, 1997-00) with 437.
• Davis leads The American and is tied for 11th in the nation in RBI (27) and 19th outright in slugging percentage (.764). The Austin native is second in conference, tied for eighth in the NCAA, in home runs (8) and leads the team in batting average (.347).
• Junior third baseman Jared Triolo, who reached base in the first 18 games to start the season, leads the team in walks (12) and runs scored (15).
• Junior right-handed pitcher Devon Roedahl co-leads The American in wins (3), with all coming out of the bullpen.
• Junior right-handed pitcher Fred Villarreal leads conference in ERA (1.23). He and Roedahl each are tied for fifth in saves (2).
• Villarreal co-led the nation with a 0.00 ERA through Houston's first 10 games. His streak without allowing an earned run to start the season ended at 13 and one-third innings with two runs surrendered against Rice on March 5.
• Senior designated hitter Rey Fuentes III was named to the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic All-Tournament Team on March 5. At the tournament, Fuentes III batted .300 with one double, one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. The homer, which came against Texas State on March 2, was the first of his career.
• Houston is batting .216 as a team and has a 4.11 ERA, compared to opponents' .236 average and 3.63 ERA.
ON UCONN
• The Huskies enters the weekend with an 11-7 record. UConn, who took a four-game series over Michigan State over the weekend, is coming off a 6-3 decision at Virginia on Wednesday.
• Senior center fielder Michael Woodworth leads the team in batting average (.352), while junior shortstop Anthony Prato holds top marks in on-base percentage (.461), runs scored (18) and doubles (8).
• Friday starter Mason Feole was tabbed The American's Preseason Pitcher of the Year and was a Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball (First Team), NCBWA (Second Team) and D1Baseball (Third Team).
• Junior Jake Wallace, who was tabbed The American's Preseason All-Conference relief pitcher, co-leads the league in saves (5).
• The Huskies, who tied for third in the league in 2018, were picked third in The American Preseason Poll entering the 2019 season.
• UConn is batting .268 as a team and has a 4.67 ERA, compared to opponents' .269 average and 4.94 ERA.
Following the weekend, the Cougars will play two midweek games before returning to conference action. Houston will host Sam Houston State on Tuesday at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park before making the trek up Highway 59 on Wednesday to face Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas.
PARKING IN 2019
Gameday parking is offered in a different capacity than in prior years. Anyone entering Lot 16B (across the street from right field) will be subjected to paying a third party company employed by campus. This lot will no longer be an option for free parking on gamedays. All other lots surrounding the stadium will be free of charge two hours prior to first pitch.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" UHCougarBB on Facebook.
JOIN DUGOUT CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Baseball program by joining the Dugout Club. To find out more information about the Dugout Club, visit UHCougarPride.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
