University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
(4) UConn
Preview: The American Championship
5/20/2019 11:45:00 AM | Baseball
Cougars face UConn in opening game of double-elimination tournament
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team kicks off the 2019 American Athletic Conference Championship facing UConn in the opening game of the double-elimination tournament on Tuesday at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Fla.
First pitch is slated for 8 a.m. CT.
For the sixth straight year, The American Championship, taking place Tuesday through Sunday, is being held at the Spring Training home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
All games minus the Championship Game 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. The Championship Game will air on ESPNews.
For the Championship Central page, click HERE.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (32-22, 12-12 The American) vs. UConn (33-22, 12-12 The American)
May 21 | Clearwater, Fla.
Live Stats | The American Digital Network | Live Audio
All-Time Series: Houston leads, 13-9
Tournament Central
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Tuesday: Houston LHP Lael Lockhart Jr. (4-6, 3.51) vs. UConn RHP Jimmy Wang (2-2, 3.71)
SINGLES
• Houston enters The American Championship with a 33-22 overall record.
• In their second leg of a two-week road trip, the Cougars are coming off a 1-2 series decision at UCF to close the regular season.
• Senior first baseman Joe Davis finished the regular season ranked second in The American and is tied for 19th in the nation in home runs (17). He was third in the conference in RBI (56), tied for fourth in walks (41) and fifth outright in slugging percentage (.606).
• For the regular season, junior third baseman Jared Triolo led Houston in batting average (.324), hits (68), doubles (17) and runs scored (44).
• Junior right-hander Devon Roedahl tied for second in The American in wins (7), with all coming out of the bullpen. He was also tied for third in appearances (29), a mark which is tied for 29th in the NCAA, and sat fifth in the league in opponent batting average (.217).
• Junior right-hander Fred Villarreal is tied for 12th in the nation in appearances (32).
He finished tied for second in the conference and is tied for 33rd nationally in saves (10). Villarreal was third in the conference in ERA (2.20) and opponent batting average (.210).
• 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 .254 as a team and has a 3.70 ERA, compared to opponents' .235 average and 4.47 ERA. For the regular season, the Cougar pitching staff led The American in opponent batting average (.234), was second in ERA (3.70), third in saves (16) and fourth in wins (32).
ON UCONN
• The Huskies enter the postseason with a 33-22 overall record.
• UConn is coming off a 3-1 week, defeating Rhode Island before taking two of three at Tulane to close the regular season.
• For his efforts last week, junior catcher Pat Winkel was named The American Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season.
• Senior center fielder Michael Woodworth leads the Huskies and finished the regular season ranked fourth in The American in runs scored (52). Woodwhorth also holds top marks for UConn in hits (69) and home runs (5).
• Junior Jacob Wallace led the conference in saves (14), a mark which ranks tied for third in the nation.
• UConn is batting .266 as a team and has a 3.92 ERA, compared to opponents' .253 average and 4.40 ERA.
The winner of Game 1 of The American Championship between Houston and UConn will enjoy a day off and face the winner of Game 2 between ECU and Wichita State on Thursday, while the loser of each respective game will face off in an elimination game on Wednesday. Both games will get underway at 2 p.m. CT, respectively.
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.
