University of Houston
Sam Houston State
Preview: vs. Sam Houston State, Tuesday
4/22/2019 4:23:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars, Bearkats close series with midweek tilt at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team steps out of American Athletic Conference play facing Sam Houston State on Tuesday at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.
First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m., as the game marks the culmination of the three-game series between the two teams. Parking at Constellation Field is $5.
The annual three-game series was announced in 2017 and is named in appreciation of Don Sanders' generosity to both programs. Houston won the first two games of the series to clinch the Don Sanders Cup.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (24-16, 8-7 The American) vs. Sam Houston State (22-15, 14-7 Southland)
April 23 | Constellation Field | Sugar Land, Texas
Live Stats | Live Audio
All-Time Series: Series is tied, 84-84
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Tuesday: Houston TBA vs. Sam Houston State TBA
SINGLES
• Houston enters Tuesday with a 24-16 overall record, having won seven of its last eight games.
• The Cougars, who are receiving votes in the latest NCBWA Top 30 poll, are coming off a 3-1 week. Houston picked up a 4-1 win over No. 7 Texas A&M on Tuesday before taking two of three games to clinch the series over Cincinnati.
• On Monday, junior third baseman Jared Triolo was named The American Athletic Conference Player of the Week, while junior closer Fred Villarreal was named to the Weekly Honor Roll. Triolo turned in .583/.706/.667 slash, going 7-for-12 with one double, four walks, one hit by pitch, four RBI, three runs scored and two stolen bases. Villarreal posted a 0.00 ERA with two saves across three appearances out of the bullpen.
• Senior first baseman Joe Davis is tied for seventh in the nation in home runs (16) and is 25th outright in slugging percentage (.690) and 28th in RBI (46), ranking second in the conference in home runs and RBI. The Austin native also leads the team in walks (29) and on-base percentage (.439), while Triolo holds top marks in batting average (.331), hits (49), runs (31) and doubles (11).
• 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-handed pitcher Devon Roedahl leads The American in wins (6), with all coming out of the bullpen.
• Junior right-handed pitcher Fred Villarreal leads the conference in ERA (1.65), saves (9) and appearances (24), and is second in opponent batting average (.192). His nine saves are tied for 12th in the nation, while his 1.65 ERA is 22nd in the country.
• 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 3.78 ERA, compared to opponents' .234 average and 4.20 ERA.
ON SAM HOUSTON STATE
• The Bearkats enter the week with a 22-15 record.
• SHSU is coming off a 0-4 week, dropping a 9-6 decision at No. 18 Baylor before being swept at Central Arkansas.
• Jordan Cannon (.397) and Colton Bowser (.376) lead the team and rank second and third in the Southland Conference in batting average. Bowser is also second in the SLC in slugging percentage (.624), while Cannon is second in on-base percentage (.474).
• Bearkats Hunter Hearn (First Team), Clayton Harp (Second Team) and Hayden Wesneski (Second Team) were named Preseason All-SLC. All three were named All-Conference in 2018.
• The Bearkats, who have won four SLC titles in the last four seasons (2016 regular season and conference tournament, 2017 conference tournament, 2018 regular season), were tabbed to repeat in the SLC Preseason Poll entering the 2019 season.
• SHSU is batting .299 as a team and has a 5.02 ERA, compared to opponents' .281 average and 5.55 ERA.
Following Tuesday, the Cougars return to play in The American with a three-game series at USF.
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.
