University of Houston
Cincinnati
Preview: vs. Cincinnati*
4/17/2019 5:32:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars host Bearcats in three-game, Thursday-Saturday series
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team returns to American Athletic Conference play hosting Cincinnati in a three-game series at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park starting Thursday.
Games on Thursday and Friday get underway at 6:30 p.m., while the Saturday finale is slated for 1 p.m. Gates open two hours prior to first pitch for every game.
Kids that wear their baseball uniform to Friday's game against the Bearcats will get free admission, while parents can buy tickets for $3. Houston will also host an Easter Egg Hunt on the field after Saturday's 1 p.m. series finale.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (22-15, 6-6 The American) vs. Cincinnati (17-19, 7-5 The American)
April 18-20 | 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, 37-11
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: Houston LHP Lael Lockhart Jr. (3-4, 3.20) vs. Cincinnati RHP David Orndorff (1-1, 5.85)
Saturday: Houston LHP Clay Aguilar (3-3, 3.50) vs. Cincinnati LHP Evan Shawver (2-4, 4.63)
Sunday: Houston TBA vs. Cincinnati LHP Garrett Schoenle (2-0, 5.26)
SINGLES
• Houston enters the holiday-altered series with a 22-15 overall record and 6-6 mark in The American.
• The Cougars, winners of five straight, are coming off 4-1 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M on Tuesday. Houston jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, and senior right-hander Ryan Randel, who carried a no-hit bid through five innings, tossed six and one-third innings of one-run ball in the win.
• On Monday, junior southpaw Lael Lockhart Jr. was named The American Pitcher of the Week, while senior first baseman Joe Davis was named to the Weekly Honor Roll. Lockhart Jr. recorded a career-high nine strikeouts and surrendered just one unearned run across six innings in a 13-5, series-opening win at Wichita State. For the week, senior first baseman Joe Davis went 7-for-15 with three home runs, four walks, seven RBI and five runs scored. On Wednesday, Davis was also named Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Player of the Week.
• Davis is tied for third in the nation in home runs (16), tied 17th in RBI (46) and is 16th outright in slugging percentage (.717), leading The American in RBI and ranking second in the conference in the other two categories. The Austin native also leads the team in hits (44), walks (24) and on-base percentage (.431), while junior third baseman Jared Triolo holds top marks in doubles (10) and runs scored (29).
• Davis was named to the Midseason Perfect Game/Rawlings All-America Second Team on April 3. The midseason honor is the first for the Cougars since D1Baseball and Perfect Game tabbed Jake Scheiner to the First Team in 2017.
• Junior right-hander Devon Roedahl leads The American in wins (5), with all coming out of the bullpen.
• Junior right-hander Fred Villarreal leads conference in ERA (1.82) and appearances (22), and is tied for first in saves (8). He is also second in the league in opponent batting average (.197).
• 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 .250 as a team and has a 3.86 ERA, compared to opponents' .230 average and 4.16 ERA.
ON CINCINNATI
• The Bearcats enter the series with a 19-19 overall record and 7-5 mark in The American.
• Cincinnati is on a three-game win streak and is coming off a 15-5 win over Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday.
• Junior shortstop Joey Bellini leads the Bearcats and ranks third in The American in batting average (.372). Cincinnati also has three of the league's top stolen base leaders in Jace Mercer (17), Jeremy Johnson (16) and Joey Wiemer (12).
• Schoenle, the projected Sunday starter, is fourth in the league in opponent batting average (.213).
• The Bearcats, who finished 12-12 in conference play in 2018, were picked eighth in The American Preseason Poll entering the 2019 season.
• Cincinnati is batting .242 as a team and has a 5.32 ERA, compared to opponents' .261 average and 3.98 ERA.
ON DECK
Following the series, the Cougars will enjoy Easter Sunday before returning to action with a Tuesday, neutral-site matchup with Sam Houston State for the Don Sanders Cup finale. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. from Constellation Field, home of the 2018 Atlantic League Champion Sugar Land Skeeters, in Sugar Land, 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.
