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Friday, March 29
Houston
6 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
USF
Houston Hosts USF for Conference Home-Opener
3/28/2019 5:12:00 PM | Softball
Friday’s contest to be broadcasted on American Digital Network
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team continues its five-game homestand this weekend with the Cougars welcoming USF for a three-game series at Cougar Softball Stadium.
Having won 20 of its past 24 games, the Cougars enter the matchup with the Bulls holding a 24-9 record and a 2-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play, while USF is 23-14 on the year and 1-2 against conference opponents.
Houston has had success competing against USF at home in recent years, as the Cougars have won four of the last five home games with the Bulls at Cougar Softball Stadium. When the teams squared up against each other in Houston in 2017, the Cougars won the series in dramatic fashion, coming out on top of game three, 5-4, in 10 innings.
The past six games between the Cougars and the Bulls have been neck and neck, as each side has won three contests. That same stretch has also seen Houston outscore USF by only four runs, 23-19.
vs. USF
Last Time Out
Houston improved its record to 6-0 this season in midweek contests, after taking down McNeese on Wednesday in comeback fashion. The 3-2 win in nine innings marked the second time this season the Cougars have completed a come-from-behind win over the Cowgirls.
In Wednesday's contest, sophomore infielder Tierrah Williams used a pinch-hit solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score at two. A two-out RBI single from junior outfielder Lindsey Stewart is what cemented the victory for the Cougars, as her base-knock in left center scored senior outfielder Maya Thomas.
Senior pitcher Savannah Heebner tossed all nine innings, falling one frame short of tying her career-high. She finished the night allowing just three hits and striking out five batters, needing only 104 pitches to earn the victory.
Hit 'Em Fast, Hit 'Em Hard
Not only has the Houston offense come out firing in its games, the Cougars have pounded their opponents in the opening innings. Heading into the weekend series with the Bulls, the Cougars are outscoring their opposition, 52-16, in the first two innings.
The opening frame for Houston has proven to be valuable for the team, as the Cougars are 11-0 on the year when they score in the first inning, which includes a .296 batting average. Overall, the Cougars are 19-2 when scoring first.
Milestone Tracker
With 91 careers victories as a head coach, Kristin Vesely is knocking on the door of history and quickly approaching the 100-career win milestone mark. She is on pace to reach that plateau in her third season, which would be the fastest in program history.
Along with Vesely, senior pitcher Savannah Heebner continues to etch her name in the record books, as her 59 career wins ranked second all-time behind only Angel Shamblin (2005-08), who holds the program record with 94 career victories.
Let's Keep This Going
The Cougars enter the weekend on an absolute tear, having won 20 of their past 24 games. During that stretch, Houston has outscored its opponents, 142-41, posting 12 shutouts in that span.
Since the start Houston's run began with a 4-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe (Feb. 17), the Cougars' offense has erupted, averaging 5.9 runs and 8.0 hits per game, while boasting a .314 team batting average and a .452 slugging percentage.
In the circle, Houston's pitching staff has posted a minuscule team ERA of 1.36 over the course of 154.1 innings pitched, while holding opponents to a .181 batting average. This stretch has also seen a perfect game and a no-hitter from junior pitcher Trystan Melancon.
Below is a list of active streaks heading into the weekend:
Player Games Streak
Lindsey Stewart 23 Reached base
Arielle James 10 Reached base
Savannah Heebner 33 Without an error
Maya Thomas 23 Without an error
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2019 season are on sale now and can be purchased for $80. Fans can also purchase a flex package of 20 games, where they can choose which games they want to attend.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
Having won 20 of its past 24 games, the Cougars enter the matchup with the Bulls holding a 24-9 record and a 2-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play, while USF is 23-14 on the year and 1-2 against conference opponents.
Houston has had success competing against USF at home in recent years, as the Cougars have won four of the last five home games with the Bulls at Cougar Softball Stadium. When the teams squared up against each other in Houston in 2017, the Cougars won the series in dramatic fashion, coming out on top of game three, 5-4, in 10 innings.
The past six games between the Cougars and the Bulls have been neck and neck, as each side has won three contests. That same stretch has also seen Houston outscore USF by only four runs, 23-19.
vs. USF
- Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. | Houston vs. USF | Live Stats | Watch
- Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m. | Houston vs. USF | Live Stats | Watch
- Sunday, March 31 at Noon | Houston vs. USF | Live Stats | Watch
Last Time Out
Houston improved its record to 6-0 this season in midweek contests, after taking down McNeese on Wednesday in comeback fashion. The 3-2 win in nine innings marked the second time this season the Cougars have completed a come-from-behind win over the Cowgirls.
In Wednesday's contest, sophomore infielder Tierrah Williams used a pinch-hit solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score at two. A two-out RBI single from junior outfielder Lindsey Stewart is what cemented the victory for the Cougars, as her base-knock in left center scored senior outfielder Maya Thomas.
Senior pitcher Savannah Heebner tossed all nine innings, falling one frame short of tying her career-high. She finished the night allowing just three hits and striking out five batters, needing only 104 pitches to earn the victory.
Hit 'Em Fast, Hit 'Em Hard
Not only has the Houston offense come out firing in its games, the Cougars have pounded their opponents in the opening innings. Heading into the weekend series with the Bulls, the Cougars are outscoring their opposition, 52-16, in the first two innings.
The opening frame for Houston has proven to be valuable for the team, as the Cougars are 11-0 on the year when they score in the first inning, which includes a .296 batting average. Overall, the Cougars are 19-2 when scoring first.
Milestone Tracker
With 91 careers victories as a head coach, Kristin Vesely is knocking on the door of history and quickly approaching the 100-career win milestone mark. She is on pace to reach that plateau in her third season, which would be the fastest in program history.
Along with Vesely, senior pitcher Savannah Heebner continues to etch her name in the record books, as her 59 career wins ranked second all-time behind only Angel Shamblin (2005-08), who holds the program record with 94 career victories.
Let's Keep This Going
The Cougars enter the weekend on an absolute tear, having won 20 of their past 24 games. During that stretch, Houston has outscored its opponents, 142-41, posting 12 shutouts in that span.
Since the start Houston's run began with a 4-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe (Feb. 17), the Cougars' offense has erupted, averaging 5.9 runs and 8.0 hits per game, while boasting a .314 team batting average and a .452 slugging percentage.
In the circle, Houston's pitching staff has posted a minuscule team ERA of 1.36 over the course of 154.1 innings pitched, while holding opponents to a .181 batting average. This stretch has also seen a perfect game and a no-hitter from junior pitcher Trystan Melancon.
Below is a list of active streaks heading into the weekend:
Player Games Streak
Lindsey Stewart 23 Reached base
Arielle James 10 Reached base
Savannah Heebner 33 Without an error
Maya Thomas 23 Without an error
Season tickets for the 2019 season are on sale now and can be purchased for $80. Fans can also purchase a flex package of 20 games, where they can choose which games they want to attend.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
RHP/1B
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UTL
/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: Houston 5, Utah 2
Sunday, March 30
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, McNeese 6
Wednesday, March 26
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, Lamar 6
Wednesday, March 19
Cinematic Recap vs. Iowa State
Tuesday, March 11