University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Rice
Preview: vs. Rice, Tuesday (Sugar Land, Texas)
5/13/2019 6:59:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars, Owls meet for rubber game of Silver Glove Series
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team wraps up six straight games in the Houston area facing Rice 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 Silver Glove Series is tied, 1-1, with the visiting team winning in the first two matchups on the season. The Owls claimed a 5-3 win over Houston at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park on March 5, before the Cougars evened the series with a 8-2, 10-inning win at Rice on May 1.
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. For more on the trophy, click HERE.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (31-19, 11-10 The American) vs. Rice (23-28, 14-3 Conference USA)
May 13 | Constellation Field | Sugar Land, Texas
Live Stats | Live Audio
All-Time Series: Houston trails, 82-107
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Tuesday: Houston TBA vs. Rice TBA
SINGLES
• Houston enters Tuesday with a 31-19 overall record.
• The Cougars are coming off a 2-1 series win over Tulane, bookending the series with 12-7 and 5-2 wins. Freshman Derrick Cherry turned in two three-hit efforts across the series, going 6-for-11 with one home run, four RBI and three runs scored. On Sunday's Senior Day, senior right-hander Ryan Randel went a career-long seven and one-third innings in the win. For their respective efforts, both were named to The American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll on Monday.
• Senior first baseman Joe Davis ranks second in The American and is tied for 19th in the nation in home runs (16). He is also tied for third in the conference in RBI (52) and is fifth in slugging percentage (.603). The Austin native also leads the team in walks (35) and on-base percentage (.418), while junior third baseman Jared Triolo holds top marks in batting average (.325), hits (63), doubles (15) and runs scored (41).
• 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 co-leads The American in wins (7), with all coming out of the bullpen. He is also third in the league in opponent batting average (.210) and appearances (27), a mark that is tied for 34th in the NCAA.
• Junior right-hander Fred Villarreal leads The American and is tied for seventh in the nation in appearances (30). He is also tied for second in the conference and tied for 37th nationally in saves (9). Villarreal is third in the conference in ERA (2.41) and fourth in opponent batting average (.213).
• 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 .256 as a team and has a 3.64 ERA, compared to opponents' .234 average and 4.62 ERA. The Cougar pitching staff leads The American in opponent batting average, is second in ERA and tied for second in both wins (31) and saves (15).
ON RICE
• The Owls enter the midweek with a 23-28 record.
• Rice has won its last two games and is coming off a 2-1 series win over Southern Miss.
• Senior Evan Kravetz, who was named the CUSA Pitcher of the Week on Monday, and junior Matt Caterino are tied for second in the CUSA in strikeouts (103).
• Caterino was tabbed the CUSA Preseason Pitcher of the Year and a Preseason All-American by Baseball America (Second Team) and the NCBWA (Third Team).
• Senior designated hitter Andrew Dunlap leads the Owls and is second in the CUSA in RBI (54), third in slugging percentage (.609), fourth in home runs (12) and eighth in on-base percentage (.441). He also leads Rice in batting average (.328) and hit by pitch (17).
• The Owls were picked to finish fourth and garnered one first-place vote in the CUSA Preseason Poll.
• Rice is batting .273 as a team and has a 4.76 ERA, compared to opponents' .263 average and 5.49 ERA.
ON DECK
Following Tuesday, the Cougars will close the regular season with a three-game series at UCF starting Thursday.
For the sixth straight year, The American Athletic Conference Championship will be held at Spectrum Field, Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies, in Clearwater, Fla., across May 21-26.
STAY CONNECTED
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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.
