Cougars Boast Veteran Presence Behind Plate

As we gear up for the 2021 University of Houston Baseball season, we take a closer look at the team in our four-part positional preview series featuring Cougar pitching (Feb. 1), catching (Feb. 4), infield (Feb. 8) and outfield (Feb. 11).

HOUSTON – Houston catcher and mainstay Kyle Lovelace returns for his fourth season with the program, highlighting a veteran presence behind the plate for the Cougars in 2021.

The Hudson, Texas, native, who has made 105 starts and appeared in 120 games, is joined by second-year freshman Dylan Post and sophomore junior college transfer Leyton Pinckney.

Lovelace burst onto the scene in 2018, finishing the season as everyday catcher while hitting .300 in postseason play including a .308 mark at the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional. In 2019, he co-led the American Athletic Conference with four pickoffs and threw out 14 baserunners.

"Kyle has an unbelievable passion for baseball," head coach Todd Whitting said. "To see where he's come from his freshman year … his physical development and ability to become a leader in the program … he's progressed nicely in all areas."

After seeing limited time last spring, Post shined in the summer. The New Lenox, Ill., native was recognized on the All-Texas Collegiate Baseball League Team at designated hitter. The freshman reached base in all 19 games and batted .306 (19-for-62) along with two home runs and four RBIs.

Pinckney batted .310 (13-for-42) with five doubles and as many RBIs in 14 games at Northwest Florida in 2020 after spending the 2019 season as the backup catcher at Mercer. The former all-state standout was tabbed the No. 17 catcher in Georgia out of high school by Perfect Game.

"Dylan has a pretty good chance to be a pretty good pro prospect," Whitting said. "It wouldn't surprise me if he played in the big leagues. That will be big in those four-game weekends, having Dylan and Kyle splitting time in those roles. I'm really excited about our catching core. Pinckney is another one. He had a really good fall at home plate. He threw out a lot of guys. I feel like we have three really solid catchers."

The group looks to help guide Houston back to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in the last eight seasons.

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