University of Houston Athletics
Fall Practice Underway
10/11/2020 9:59:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars take field, prep for 2021 season
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Baseball program held its first team practice of the fall on Sunday night at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
The two-hour, high-energy session marked the first time the team had been together as a group for baseball-related activities since the 2020 season was cut was short in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"One of the main things I talked about before practice was enthusiasm and I thought that was a very enthusiastic workout," head coach Todd Whitting said. "The guys were flying all over the field. Overall, I thought it was a great practice. The challenge is can they repeat that day-to-day."
Houston welcomes 29 newcomers this fall including 20 transfers. The class, which is ranked No. 24 nationally by Collegiate Baseball, features student-athletes from nine states: Texas (19), Georgia (2), Missouri (2), Arizona (1), California (1), Florida (1), Nevada (1), Rhode Island (1) and South Carolina (1).
Houston, which has finished top three in The American during six of seven seasons for ERA and WHIP, continued to reload on the bump, bringing in 17 pitchers. The Cougars also added six outfielders, three infielders, a pair of utility players and one catcher.
"We can't really concern ourselves with winning championships until we build the relationships," Whitting said. "That's what it's all about right now … getting to know each other and see what they can do. I think the returners have done a tremendous job leading the way with the new guys while upholding the culture and expectation levels of the program."
The program returns several key pieces including first baseman Ryan Hernandez, who was named the Texas Collegiate League Player of the Year this summer. Teammate Dylan Post was also recognized as the league's top designated hitter.
The Cougars enter 2021 boasting five conference titles since 2014, a mark that ranks second in Texas and eighth nationally. Houston is one of seven schools nationally with at least 245 victories and five conference titles in that span.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
The two-hour, high-energy session marked the first time the team had been together as a group for baseball-related activities since the 2020 season was cut was short in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"One of the main things I talked about before practice was enthusiasm and I thought that was a very enthusiastic workout," head coach Todd Whitting said. "The guys were flying all over the field. Overall, I thought it was a great practice. The challenge is can they repeat that day-to-day."
Houston welcomes 29 newcomers this fall including 20 transfers. The class, which is ranked No. 24 nationally by Collegiate Baseball, features student-athletes from nine states: Texas (19), Georgia (2), Missouri (2), Arizona (1), California (1), Florida (1), Nevada (1), Rhode Island (1) and South Carolina (1).
Houston, which has finished top three in The American during six of seven seasons for ERA and WHIP, continued to reload on the bump, bringing in 17 pitchers. The Cougars also added six outfielders, three infielders, a pair of utility players and one catcher.
"We can't really concern ourselves with winning championships until we build the relationships," Whitting said. "That's what it's all about right now … getting to know each other and see what they can do. I think the returners have done a tremendous job leading the way with the new guys while upholding the culture and expectation levels of the program."
The program returns several key pieces including first baseman Ryan Hernandez, who was named the Texas Collegiate League Player of the Year this summer. Teammate Dylan Post was also recognized as the league's top designated hitter.
The Cougars enter 2021 boasting five conference titles since 2014, a mark that ranks second in Texas and eighth nationally. Houston is one of seven schools nationally with at least 245 victories and five conference titles in that span.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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