University of Houston
No. 11 ECU
Preview: vs. No. 11 ECU*
4/4/2019 5:27:00 PM | Baseball
Friday's game will air on The American Digital Network
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team returns to American Athletic Conference play hosting ECU in a three-game series at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park starting Friday.
Friday's game with the Pirates is presented by Gonzales Electric and will be broadcast on The American Digital Network. ADN games are available on Facebook on the conference's live event page, The American Digital Network Plus.
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 (16-13, 2-4 The American) vs. ECU (22-6, 6-0 The American)
April 5-7 | Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park
G1: Live Stats | American Digital Network | Live Audio
G2: Live Stats | Live Stream | Live Audio
G3: Live Stats | Live Stream | Live Audio
All-Time Series: Houston leads, 32-27-1
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: Houston LHP Lael Lockhart Jr. (1-4, 4.38) vs. ECU LHP Jake Agnos (4-1, 2.92)
Saturday: Houston RHP Ryan Randel (2-1, 3.58) vs. ECU RHP Tyler Smith (3-0, 5.25)
Sunday: Houston TBA vs. ECU LHP Jake Kuchmanerh (3-0, 2.03)
SINGLES
• Houston, in the midst of 10 games in 13 days, enters the weekend with a 16-13 overall record and 2-4 mark in The American.
• The Cougars are coming off a pair of midweek wins, defeating Lamar, 8-7, on Tuesday in Beaumont, Texas, and FIU, 5-4, in walk-off fashion on Wednesday at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
• Tied 7-7 at Lamar, senior first baseman Joe Davis hit a leadoff home run in the top of the ninth inning to put Houston on top.
• On Wednesday against FIU, junior left fielder Tyler Bielamowicz hit a walk-off single to secure the Cougars' third straight win. The walk-off victory was Houston's fourth of the season.
• In Houston's series finale at Memphis on Sunday, Davis recorded his 51st career double to tie David Villar (USF, 2016-18) for The American career record.
• Davis batted .421 with four extra-base hits, including three home runs, and 10 RBI. For his efforts, he was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor on Monday and the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Player of the Week on Wednesday.
• Davis was named to the Midseason Perfect Game/Rawlings All-America Second Team, Perfect Game on Wednesday. The midseason honor is the first for the Cougars since D1Baseball and Perfect Game tabbed Jake Scheiner to the First Team in 2017.
• Davis leads The American and is tied for ninth in the NCAA in RBI (38). He is also tied for sixth in the nation in home runs (12) and is 19th in slugging percentage (.716), marks which both rank second in the conference, respectively. The Austin native also leads the team in batting average (.333), hits (35), walks (15) and on-base percentage (.418), while he and junior third baseman Jared Triolo hold the top mark in doubles (7).
• Junior right-handed pitcher Devon Roedahl leads The American and is tied for 18th in the NCAA in wins (5), with all coming out of the bullpen.
• Junior right-handed pitcher Fred Villarreal leads conference in ERA (1.38) and appearances (17), and is tied for second in saves (6).
• 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 .236 as a team and has a 3.90 ERA, compared to opponents' .228 average and 4.07 ERA.
ON ECU
• The Pirates, who sit as high as No. 11 in the national rankings, enter the weekend with a 22-6 overall record and are the only remaining undefeated team in The American with a 6-0 mark.
• Friday starter junior Jake Agnos was named The American's Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Last week at USF, Agnos tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts through six scoreless innings in a 4-0 series-opening win over the Bulls.
• Sophomore two-way player Alec Burleson leads The American in batting average (.408), while junior first baseman Spencer Brickhouse holds the top mark in on-base percentage (.510).
• Junior left fielder Bryant Packard was tabbed The American Preseason Player of the Year. Packard, Agnos, Saturday starter Tyler Smith and redshirt junior catcher Jake Washer were named to The American Preseason All-Conference Team.
• The Pirates, who finished 14-10 in conference play in 2018, were picked to win the league in The American Preseason Poll entering the 2019 season.
• ECU is batting .295 as a team and has a 3.34 ERA, compared to opponents' .228 average and 5.77 ERA.
Following the weekend, the Cougars visit Sam Houston State for their second game of the Don Sanders Cup. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. from Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville, Texas, and the game will air on ESPN+.
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.
