University of Houston
Rice
Preview: vs. Rice, Tuesday
3/4/2019 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
First pitch moved up to 4 p.m.
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team hosts Rice at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park in a game presented by U.A. Plumbers.
Fans should note the game time has moved up from its 6:30 p.m. listing on all printed materials due to expected frigid temperatures. Gates will open at 2 p.m.
Tuesday's game opens a five-game homestand for the Cougars and marks the first of three games against the Owls as the two teams compete for the new Silver Glove Series Trophy. For more on the trophy, click HERE.
Houston will also visit Rice on May 1 before the series culminates in a May 14 meeting at Constellation Field, home of the 2018 Atlantic League Champion Sugar Land Skeeters, in Sugar Land, Texas.
The Silver Glove Series began in 1998 and is played between Houston and Rice. At the end of the series in 2018, Houston Head Coach Todd Whitting presented the original trophy to former Rice Head Coach Wayne Graham in recognition of his contributions to the sport of baseball.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (4-6) vs. Rice (5-7)
March 5 | Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
Live Stats | Live Stream | Live Audio
All-Time Series: Houston trails, 81-106
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Tuesday: Houston TBA vs. Rice TBA
SINGLES
• Houston is looking end a four-game skid. The Cougars, after taking the series, fell 9-4 in its series finale with then No. 24 Arizona two weeks ago, before dropping three games at the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic over the weekend at Minute Maid Park. Houston fell 10-6 to No. 16 TCU on Friday, 9-4 to Texas State on Saturday and 3-2 to No. 23 Texas A&M on Sunday.
• Senior designated hitter Rey Fuentes III was named to the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic All-Tournament Team, the Houston Astros announced Tuesday. Fuentes III batted .300 with one double, one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. The homer, which came against Texas State on Saturday, was the first of his career.
• Junior third baseman Jared Triolo, who has reached base in all 10 games to start the season, leads the team with a .333 batting average.
• Senior first baseman Joe Davis leads the team and ranks second the American Athletic Conference in home runs (4), tied for fourth in RBI (11), and is fifth in doubles (5) and sixth in slugging percentage (.718).
• Freshman second baseman Brad Burckel is tied for second in the conference in hit by pitch (5), while Houston ranks third as a team (12).
• Junior right-handed pitcher Fred Villarreal is tied for the nation's lead with a 0.00 ERA out of the bullpen. Villarreal has scattered eight hits and two unearned runs while recording three walks to 11 strikeouts across 13 innings.
• Junior righty Devon Roedahl leads the team with a 2-0 record. He picked up both victories over Northwestern State, tossing three scoreless innings to co-lead the nation with two wins after Opening Weekend. His two wins still co-lead The American.
• Houston is batting .219 as a team and has a 4.97 ERA, compared to opponents' .252 average and 3.84 ERA.
ON RICE
• The Owls enter Tuesday with a 5-7 record.
• Rice, who was also in the College Classic over the weekend, went 2-1 at Minute Maid Park. After falling 1-0 to Texas State on Friday, the Owls bested No. 12 Baylor, 6-3, on Saturday, before run-ruling No. 16 TCU, 12-2, in seven innings in Sunday night's tournament finale.
• Sophomore shortstop Trei Cruz, who was named the Conference USA Hitter of the Week after opening weekend, leads Rice and is tied for the league lead in home runs (4) and triples (2), also ranking second in RBI (17), while senior left fielder Andrew Dunlap ranks second in the CUSA in slugging percentage (.704).
• Dunlap and Jackson Parthasarathy were named the CUSA Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, on Monday.
• Rice leads the conference in both walks (60) and strikeouts (120).
• The Owls were picked to finish fourth and garnered one first-place vote in the CUSA Preseason Poll
• Rice is batting .269 as a team and has a 4.30 ERA, compared to opponents' .239 average and 6.04 ERA.
ON DECK
Following Tuesday, the Cougars continue their homestand with a three-game series with Army starting Friday, before wrapping up with a midweek bout with UTSA on March 12.
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.
