Thursday, May 9
Houston
APPROX. 4:30 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
UConn
Houston Set for UConn in The American Championship
5/8/2019 6:46:00 PM | Softball
Cougars host three-day Championship
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team begins postseason play with an opening-round matchup with UConn on Thursday at the American Athletic Conference Softball Championship.
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Due to inclement weather in the forecast, first pitch for the contest will begin 37 minutes after the conclusion of Game 3. Houston played UConn earlier this season at Cougar Softball Stadium, where the Cougars swept the three-game series from the Huskies.
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The 2019 Cougars enter this weekend looking to continue making their mark in the program's record book. After a year that saw the most regular-season wins (37) since the 2013 campaign, Houston seeks to secure its first 40-win season for the first time since that same 2013 year.
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The American Championship
Last Time Out
The Cougars concluded their final week of the 2019 campaign with a 3-1 record and saw a win in its final midweek of the season before taking the season series from ECU. Houston opened the week with an offensive outpouring over Sam Houston State, as the Cougars defeated the Bearkats in five innings by a score of 17-1.
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That contest saw Houston unload for 17 hits and 17 runs, which is the most runs scored since Houston tacked on 18 against UT Arlington in 2016. Along with their 17 runs, the Cougars utilized their offensive firepower all night long, tallying a season-high nine extra-base hits, coming off of seven doubles and two home runs. Houston's seven doubles ties a program-record set in 2008.
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Houston then carried that momentum over to Game 1 against the Pirates as a pair of three-hit nights from Sarah Barker and Maya Thomas led to the 4-1 win. In the circle, Presley Bell retired the final 15 batters she faced to earn the victory.
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Prior to falling in the series finale, Houston claimed its fifth conference series of the season with another 4-1 over the Pirates. Savannah Heebner earned her 13th victory of the season, allowing just one run in her six innings pitched to earn her fifth-straight decision. Bell came into the game and earned the team's first save of the season.
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The Best of the Best
The Cougars landed five student-athletes on the All-American Athletic Conference list, including Player of the Year Sarah Barker.
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Barker was joined by Maya Thomas, Savannah Heebner and Arielle James on the First Team. Heebner earned the fourth First Team selection of her career, becoming the first player in program history to accomplish the feat.
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Presley Bell rounded out the list of Cougars who received All-Conference accolades with her appearance on the Second Team.
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With Barker being named the 2019 Player of the Year, Kristin Vesely has now mentored four major award winners in her three years at the helm of the program. In 2017, Shelby Miller was named the Co-Player of the Year, and James earned Rookie of the Year status, while Heebner received 2018 Co-Pitcher of the Year honors.
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Houston tied Wichita State with four First-Team honorees, the most amongst all other teams. The four selections also ties a program for most First Team selections, set in 2017.
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Barking at the Opposition
With three American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll honors already under her belt, Sarah Barker received one of the league's top honors when she was named The American's Player of the Year.
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Barker finished out the year as the most prolific hitter in the conference, finishing herself ranked inside the top five in five different offensive categories. Those categories include batting average (.418, 2nd), hits (23, T4th), slugging percentage (.600, 5th), stolen bases (6, T2nd).
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My Oh My, She's on Fire!
After garnering three All-Conference accolades in her first three seasons, Maya Thomas earned the fourth All-Conference award of her career this season after leading the league with her .536 batting average. Since the start of conference play on March 22, Thomas has been on an absolute tear, bolstering a .507 batting average in 25 games.
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In her past 10 outings, Thomas has put up a blistering .667 mark, recording five multiple-hit performances in the process. That same stretch also saw Thomas set a career high four hits against Memphis (April 20), which she tied at UCF (April 28).
THE AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Fans who wish to purchase tickets to the event can do so now for as low as $5 by clicking here. For more information about The American Championship, click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
JOIN DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH. For more information, Click Here.
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– UHCougars.com –
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Due to inclement weather in the forecast, first pitch for the contest will begin 37 minutes after the conclusion of Game 3. Houston played UConn earlier this season at Cougar Softball Stadium, where the Cougars swept the three-game series from the Huskies.
Â
The 2019 Cougars enter this weekend looking to continue making their mark in the program's record book. After a year that saw the most regular-season wins (37) since the 2013 campaign, Houston seeks to secure its first 40-win season for the first time since that same 2013 year.
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The American Championship
- Approx. 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 | Houston vs. UConn | Tickets | Live Stats | Watch
- 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10 | Houston vs. TBA | Tickets | Live Stats | Watch
- 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 | Houston vs. TBA | Tickets | Live Stats | Watch (ESPN 2)
Last Time Out
The Cougars concluded their final week of the 2019 campaign with a 3-1 record and saw a win in its final midweek of the season before taking the season series from ECU. Houston opened the week with an offensive outpouring over Sam Houston State, as the Cougars defeated the Bearkats in five innings by a score of 17-1.
Â
That contest saw Houston unload for 17 hits and 17 runs, which is the most runs scored since Houston tacked on 18 against UT Arlington in 2016. Along with their 17 runs, the Cougars utilized their offensive firepower all night long, tallying a season-high nine extra-base hits, coming off of seven doubles and two home runs. Houston's seven doubles ties a program-record set in 2008.
Â
Houston then carried that momentum over to Game 1 against the Pirates as a pair of three-hit nights from Sarah Barker and Maya Thomas led to the 4-1 win. In the circle, Presley Bell retired the final 15 batters she faced to earn the victory.
Â
Prior to falling in the series finale, Houston claimed its fifth conference series of the season with another 4-1 over the Pirates. Savannah Heebner earned her 13th victory of the season, allowing just one run in her six innings pitched to earn her fifth-straight decision. Bell came into the game and earned the team's first save of the season.
Â
The Best of the Best
The Cougars landed five student-athletes on the All-American Athletic Conference list, including Player of the Year Sarah Barker.
Â
Barker was joined by Maya Thomas, Savannah Heebner and Arielle James on the First Team. Heebner earned the fourth First Team selection of her career, becoming the first player in program history to accomplish the feat.
Â
Presley Bell rounded out the list of Cougars who received All-Conference accolades with her appearance on the Second Team.
Â
With Barker being named the 2019 Player of the Year, Kristin Vesely has now mentored four major award winners in her three years at the helm of the program. In 2017, Shelby Miller was named the Co-Player of the Year, and James earned Rookie of the Year status, while Heebner received 2018 Co-Pitcher of the Year honors.
Â
Houston tied Wichita State with four First-Team honorees, the most amongst all other teams. The four selections also ties a program for most First Team selections, set in 2017.
Â
Barking at the Opposition
With three American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll honors already under her belt, Sarah Barker received one of the league's top honors when she was named The American's Player of the Year.
Â
Barker finished out the year as the most prolific hitter in the conference, finishing herself ranked inside the top five in five different offensive categories. Those categories include batting average (.418, 2nd), hits (23, T4th), slugging percentage (.600, 5th), stolen bases (6, T2nd).
Â
My Oh My, She's on Fire!
After garnering three All-Conference accolades in her first three seasons, Maya Thomas earned the fourth All-Conference award of her career this season after leading the league with her .536 batting average. Since the start of conference play on March 22, Thomas has been on an absolute tear, bolstering a .507 batting average in 25 games.
Â
In her past 10 outings, Thomas has put up a blistering .667 mark, recording five multiple-hit performances in the process. That same stretch also saw Thomas set a career high four hits against Memphis (April 20), which she tied at UCF (April 28).
Fans who wish to purchase tickets to the event can do so now for as low as $5 by clicking here. For more information about The American Championship, click here.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH. For more information, Click Here.
Â
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP/1B
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P/UTL
/ Softball
OF
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