.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston Athletics
2020 Season Outlook
1/30/2020 1:58:00 PM | Softball
Cougars seek another run in NCAA Tournament
HOUSTON – With back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances under its belt, the University of Houston Softball team looks to carry the program's momentum into the 2020 campaign.
Entering her fourth year as head coach, Kristin Vesely has increased the Cougars' win total in every season she's been at the helm, which has seen three 30-win seasons during that span.
With a strong balance between the leadership of her veterans and the raw talent of her young core, Vesely feels that the preparation her team has put in during practice can result in 2020 becoming a very memorable season.
OFFENSE
After bolstering a .291 batting average in 2019, offense will remain among the team's strengths again this season, as the Cougars return a dynamic duo. Senior outfielder Lindsey Stewart (.313 average) put together a breakout season in 2019, as well as senior infielder Arielle James (.380 average), who earned First-Team All-Conference honors for the second time in her career.
Also, back in the Cougars' lineup is senior infielder Sarah Queen, who returns for her final season as the team's starting third baseman, having led Houston with 123 assists in 2019.
PITCHING
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Rachel Hertenberger comes back as the lone returner for Houston. With just 45.0 innings of work, Hertenberger struck out 40 batters last season, having produced the team's highest strikeouts per inning ratio (0.89).
NEWCOMERS
Houston welcomes a trio of experienced transfers to its squad, with the additions of transfer pitcher McKenna Fryar and infielder Becca Schulte and infielder Rock Benavides.
In 2018, Fryar (junior) won a pair Sun Belt Conference Championships with Texas State, having led the Bobcats to an NCAA Regional berth.
Having won the 2018 Women's College World Series with Florida State, Benavides (junior) comes to Houston after helping lead the Seminoles to their ninth-straight Super Regional in 2019.
After transferring from LSU, Schulte (graduate) joins the Cougars following a stint with the Tigers that saw her start all 62 games during LSU's run to Super Regionals in 2018.
SCHEDULE
Houston's 2020 schedule features a 54-game grind, which is highlighted with 13 contests against opponents who competed in the 2019 NCAA Regionals, two matchups with teams who qualified for a Super Regional and a battle with perennial national powerhouse No. 3/3 Oklahoma (March 13), who appeared in the WCWS Championship series last season.
This season's campaign is also highlighted with contests against No. 6/6 Texas (April 1), No. 18/19 Texas Tech (Feb. 22), as well as RV/24 Oregon (Feb. 14/15) at Cougar Softball Stadium.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2020 season are on sale now and can be purchased here for $90. Fans can also purchase a 10-game flex plan for $60 or a 20-game flex plan $90.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
Entering her fourth year as head coach, Kristin Vesely has increased the Cougars' win total in every season she's been at the helm, which has seen three 30-win seasons during that span.
With a strong balance between the leadership of her veterans and the raw talent of her young core, Vesely feels that the preparation her team has put in during practice can result in 2020 becoming a very memorable season.
OFFENSE
After bolstering a .291 batting average in 2019, offense will remain among the team's strengths again this season, as the Cougars return a dynamic duo. Senior outfielder Lindsey Stewart (.313 average) put together a breakout season in 2019, as well as senior infielder Arielle James (.380 average), who earned First-Team All-Conference honors for the second time in her career.
Also, back in the Cougars' lineup is senior infielder Sarah Queen, who returns for her final season as the team's starting third baseman, having led Houston with 123 assists in 2019.
PITCHING
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Rachel Hertenberger comes back as the lone returner for Houston. With just 45.0 innings of work, Hertenberger struck out 40 batters last season, having produced the team's highest strikeouts per inning ratio (0.89).
NEWCOMERS
Houston welcomes a trio of experienced transfers to its squad, with the additions of transfer pitcher McKenna Fryar and infielder Becca Schulte and infielder Rock Benavides.
In 2018, Fryar (junior) won a pair Sun Belt Conference Championships with Texas State, having led the Bobcats to an NCAA Regional berth.
Having won the 2018 Women's College World Series with Florida State, Benavides (junior) comes to Houston after helping lead the Seminoles to their ninth-straight Super Regional in 2019.
After transferring from LSU, Schulte (graduate) joins the Cougars following a stint with the Tigers that saw her start all 62 games during LSU's run to Super Regionals in 2018.
SCHEDULE
Houston's 2020 schedule features a 54-game grind, which is highlighted with 13 contests against opponents who competed in the 2019 NCAA Regionals, two matchups with teams who qualified for a Super Regional and a battle with perennial national powerhouse No. 3/3 Oklahoma (March 13), who appeared in the WCWS Championship series last season.
This season's campaign is also highlighted with contests against No. 6/6 Texas (April 1), No. 18/19 Texas Tech (Feb. 22), as well as RV/24 Oregon (Feb. 14/15) at Cougar Softball Stadium.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
Season tickets for the 2020 season are on sale now and can be purchased here for $90. Fans can also purchase a 10-game flex plan for $60 or a 20-game flex plan $90.
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.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballHIGHLIGHTS: Houston 5, Utah 2
Sunday, March 30
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, McNeese 6
Wednesday, March 26
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 10, Lamar 6
Wednesday, March 19
Cinematic Recap vs. Iowa State
Tuesday, March 11