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University of Houston Athletics
Four Seniors to Return in 2021
5/14/2020 12:28:00 PM | Softball
The four bring back postseason experience
HOUSTON – Four seniors from the University of Houston Softball team have decided to return for their redshirt senior season in 2021.
"I am ecstatic the NCAA granted another year of eligibility for the seniors," Head Coach Kristin Vesely said. "We are fortunate to have great supporters that allowed the University to financially assist bringing back some seniors."
Infielders Becca Schulte, Arielle James and Sarah Queen, along with outfielder Lindsey Stewart, will take full advantage of the extra year of eligibility, which was granted from the NCAA after the 2020 campaign was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"These four are the most experienced players we have on our roster," Vesely said. "They have competed well in conference, been to the NCAA tournament and have made deep postseason runs. That kind of experience is irreplaceable."
James, Queen and Stewart all helped lead the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2019. The 2019 run resulted in the program's first appearance in a Regional Final since 2011. For Schulte, the LSU transfer started all 62 games for the Tigers in their 2018 run to the NCAA Super Regionals.
"The returning seniors have a level of expectations and a list of goals they want to complete," Vesely added. "Not to mention, we get the addition of Arielle James, who's been one of our most consistent players since she's stepped foot on campus, back from injury. We are going to be in a great position to pick up where we left off in 2020. Time is not moving quick enough to get back to the start of school and a new season."
BECCA SCHULTE
Infield
Andover, Kan.
Schulte spent the 2020 season serving as the team's everyday second baseman, having launched five home runs on the year. She finished the season on a tear, batting .370 and led the team with a .963 slugging percentage and .500 on-base percentage in the Cougars' final 12 games. During Houston's 11-game winning streak, she batted .333 and ranked second on the team with a .563 on-base percentage during that stretch.
ARIELLE JAMES
Infield
Moore, Okla.
Despite sitting out the 2020 season due to injury, James' resume remains as impressive as any other with her two appearances on the NFCA All-Region team (2017-18) to go along with a pair American Athletic Conference First-Team accolades (2017, 2019). Her rookie campaign in 2017 was capped off when she was named The American Rookie of the Year. James will enter the 2021 season looking to continue writing her name in the Houston record books, as her .364 career batting average ranks third in program history. She also ranks second in slugging percentage (.455) and career doubles (39).
SARAH QUEEN
Infield
Houston, Texas
Queen, who has been a rock in the hot corner for her entire career, spent 2020 as one of the most well-balanced hitters in the conference, appearing on the American Weekly Honor Roll twice (Feb. 10, 24). While her seven multiple-RBI games led the team, her seven multiple-hit games resulted in posting a team-best 23 hits on the year. Queen's .638 slugging percentage in 2020 was a career best. While Houston was in the middle of its 11-game winning streak, Queen batted .394 and led the team with 13 hits during that stretch.
LINDSEY STEWART
Outfield
Pearland, Texas
Before the 2020 season ended, Stewart was in the making of a career-year with a .404 batting average, which would have ranked third in program history. That mark not only led the Cougars, but also ranked fifth in The American. She ended the season on an absolute tear, posting an eight-game hitting streak where she led the team in batting average (.512), hits (13), runs (11), RBIs (16), home runs (4) and slugging percentage (1.167).
"To get these players back on the field representing Houston is a game-changer for us as a program," Vesely said. "We are not satisfied with how this season ended. We were playing well as a team, had a few individuals putting together the best year of their careers and we were on the verge of finding ourselves in the national rankings.
"With the abrupt end of the 2020 season, the opportunity has presented itself to let our passion and desire grow even more to get back on the field."
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"I am ecstatic the NCAA granted another year of eligibility for the seniors," Head Coach Kristin Vesely said. "We are fortunate to have great supporters that allowed the University to financially assist bringing back some seniors."
Infielders Becca Schulte, Arielle James and Sarah Queen, along with outfielder Lindsey Stewart, will take full advantage of the extra year of eligibility, which was granted from the NCAA after the 2020 campaign was cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"These four are the most experienced players we have on our roster," Vesely said. "They have competed well in conference, been to the NCAA tournament and have made deep postseason runs. That kind of experience is irreplaceable."
James, Queen and Stewart all helped lead the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2019. The 2019 run resulted in the program's first appearance in a Regional Final since 2011. For Schulte, the LSU transfer started all 62 games for the Tigers in their 2018 run to the NCAA Super Regionals.
"The returning seniors have a level of expectations and a list of goals they want to complete," Vesely added. "Not to mention, we get the addition of Arielle James, who's been one of our most consistent players since she's stepped foot on campus, back from injury. We are going to be in a great position to pick up where we left off in 2020. Time is not moving quick enough to get back to the start of school and a new season."
Infield
Andover, Kan.
Schulte spent the 2020 season serving as the team's everyday second baseman, having launched five home runs on the year. She finished the season on a tear, batting .370 and led the team with a .963 slugging percentage and .500 on-base percentage in the Cougars' final 12 games. During Houston's 11-game winning streak, she batted .333 and ranked second on the team with a .563 on-base percentage during that stretch.
ARIELLE JAMES
Infield
Moore, Okla.
Despite sitting out the 2020 season due to injury, James' resume remains as impressive as any other with her two appearances on the NFCA All-Region team (2017-18) to go along with a pair American Athletic Conference First-Team accolades (2017, 2019). Her rookie campaign in 2017 was capped off when she was named The American Rookie of the Year. James will enter the 2021 season looking to continue writing her name in the Houston record books, as her .364 career batting average ranks third in program history. She also ranks second in slugging percentage (.455) and career doubles (39).
SARAH QUEEN
Infield
Houston, Texas
Queen, who has been a rock in the hot corner for her entire career, spent 2020 as one of the most well-balanced hitters in the conference, appearing on the American Weekly Honor Roll twice (Feb. 10, 24). While her seven multiple-RBI games led the team, her seven multiple-hit games resulted in posting a team-best 23 hits on the year. Queen's .638 slugging percentage in 2020 was a career best. While Houston was in the middle of its 11-game winning streak, Queen batted .394 and led the team with 13 hits during that stretch.
LINDSEY STEWART
Outfield
Pearland, Texas
Before the 2020 season ended, Stewart was in the making of a career-year with a .404 batting average, which would have ranked third in program history. That mark not only led the Cougars, but also ranked fifth in The American. She ended the season on an absolute tear, posting an eight-game hitting streak where she led the team in batting average (.512), hits (13), runs (11), RBIs (16), home runs (4) and slugging percentage (1.167).
"To get these players back on the field representing Houston is a game-changer for us as a program," Vesely said. "We are not satisfied with how this season ended. We were playing well as a team, had a few individuals putting together the best year of their careers and we were on the verge of finding ourselves in the national rankings.
"With the abrupt end of the 2020 season, the opportunity has presented itself to let our passion and desire grow even more to get back on the field."
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
Fans can support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. For information about the Diamond Club, click here, or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
– UHCougars.com –
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