University of Houston Athletics
Preview: at UCF*
5/15/2019 5:32:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars wrap league play, regular season in Orlando, Fla.
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team returns to American Athletic Conference play and closes out the 2019 regular season with a three-game series at UCF starting Thursday.
Game times are set for 5 p.m. for all three days.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (31-20, 11-10 The American) at UCF (32-19, 9-12 The American)
May 16-18 | Orlando, Fla.
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, 28-22
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Thursday: Houston LHP Lael Lockhart Jr. (4-5, 3.52) vs. UCF LHP Grant Schuermann (5-5, 3.94)
Friday: Houston LHP Clay Aguilar (6-3, 3.00) vs. UCF RHP Jordan Spicer (2-0, 3.75)
Saturday: Houston TBA vs. UCF TBA
SINGLES
• Houston, which is receiving votes in the latest NCBWA Top 30 poll as well as the USA Today Coaches Poll, enters the Thursday-Saturday series with a 31-20 overall record and 11-10 mark in The American.
• The Cougars are coming off a 2-1 decision to Rice in the rubber game of the Silver Glove Series on Tuesday night at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. At the conclusion of the series, Houston's Nolan Bond, Brad Burckel, Derrick Cherry and Devon Roedahl were named to the All-Silver Glove Series Team.
• Last week, the Cougars picked up a 2-1 series win over Tulane, bookending the series with 12-7 and 5-2 wins. 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-handed 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 20th in the nation in home runs (16). He is also tied for third in the conference in RBI (52) and is sixth in slugging percentage (.587).
• Junior third baseman Jared Triolo holds top marks for Houston in batting average (.323), on-base percentage (.412), hits (64), doubles (15) and runs scored (42).
• 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 (.207) and appearances (28), a mark which is tied for 25th in the NCAA.
• Junior right-hander Fred Villarreal is tied for 10th in the nation in appearances (30). He is also tied for third in the conference and tied for 38th nationally in saves (9). Villarreal is third in the conference in ERA (2.41) and fourth in opponent batting average (.213).
• 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.
• 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 .255 as a team and has a 3.61 ERA, compared to opponents' .232 average and 4.54 ERA. The Cougar pitching staff leads The American in opponent batting average (.231), is second in ERA (3.61), third in wins (31) and tied for third in saves (15).
ON UCF
• The Knights enter the series with a 32-19 overall record and 9-12 mark in The American.
• UCF is riding a five-game win streak and is coming off a 13-10 win at No. 29 FAU on Tuesday.
• Tyler Osik leads the Knights in batting average (.335) and on-base percentage (.572).
• Dallas Beaver leads UCF and is tied for fifth in the league home runs (11), is sixth in on-base percentage (.455) and tied for sixth in RBI (47).
• The Knights, which were 13-10 in conference play in 2018, was picked fourth in The American Preseason Poll entering the 2019 season.
• UCF is batting .271 as a team and has a 4.27 ERA, compared to opponents' .258 average and 5.45 ERA.
THE AMERICAN STANDINGS
1. ECU, 18-3
2. Tulane, 11-9
3. Cincinnati, 13-11
4. Houston, 11-10
5. UConn, 10-11
6. Memphis, 9-11
7. UCF, 9-12
8. USF, 7-14
   Wichita State, 7-14
ON DECK
Following the series, the Cougars will stay in Florida and head over to Clearwater for The American Athletic Conference Championship being held across May 21-26. For the sixth straight year, the tournament will be held at Spectrum Field, Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
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.
