Softball Opens Season with Houston Invitational

HOUSTON – The University of Houston softball team begins its 2023 season with six games this weekend at the Cougar Softball Stadium as part of the Houston Invitational. The Cougars will battle the Virginia Cavaliers twice, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, Lamar Cardinals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Delaware Blue Hens as part of the opening weekend festivities.

Head Coach Kristin Vesely and her squad kick off the year on Thursday at 6 p.m. with a clash against Virginia. The team then plays South Dakota State and Lamar in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, followed by a doubleheader against Nebraska and the Cavaliers on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. Houston wraps up the weekend with a game against Delaware at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

HOUSTON INVITATIONAL
Teams				Houston, Virginia, South Dakota State, Lamar, Nebraska, Delaware
Dates				Feb. 9-12 \| Tournament Central
Location				Houston, Texas \| Cougar Softball Stadium
Live Stream				ESPN+ (Houston Games) \| MaxxSports.tv (All others)
Live Stats				UHStats.com
Game Notes				Houston
Social Media				@uhcougarsb \| @uhccougarsb \| Cougar Softball \| #GoCoogs

HEAD COACH KRISTIN VESELY
Overall record: 166-133-1 (7th season)
At Houston: same

SERIES VS. VIRGINIA
Overall record: 1-0, Houston
Under Vesely: 0-0, First Meeting
Streak: Houston, 1

SERIES VS. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Overall record: 0-0, First Meeting
Under Vesely: 0-0, First Meeting

SERIES VS. LAMAR
Overall record: 11-5, Houston
Under Vesely: 4-4, Tied
Streak: Lamar, 2
SERIES VS. NEBRASKA
Overall record: 3-2, Nebraska
Under Vesely: 0-0, First Meeting
Streak: Nebraska, 2
SERIES VS. DELAWARE
Overall record: 0-0, First Meeting
Under Vesely: 0-0, First Meeting

FIRST PITCH

Houston begins its 2023 campaign with six games opening weekend, including a pair of games against 2022 NCAA Tournament teams (Nebraska, South Dakota State).
The Cougars return 14 members of their 2022 team while welcoming seven new players to the squad, including three transfers.
Houston plays 16 home games and no away games in the month of February, followed by 16 neutral site/away games and no home games in the month of March.
Houston was one of the best defensive teams in the country last season, leading The American and ranking 14th in the country with 0.49 double plays per game.
The Cougars are playing their last season in The American prior to joining the Big 12 Conference next season.
Kenna Wilkey picked up a pair of preseason honors, being named the preseason American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year by both D1Softball and Extra Innings Softball.
The Cougars are 22-18 in opening day games and hold a 67-40 record in games during opening weekend. The team has a 7-7 record on Feb. 9 historically.
Wilkey was placed at No. 8 and No. 10 in Extra Innings Softball and D1Softball's preseason American Athletic Conference Player Power Rankings, respectively. Kati Ray Brown was named the No. 15 in Extra Innings Softball's list, while Paige Hulsey was No. 19 and Turiya Coleman was No. 20 in D1Softball's rankings.

BUY TICKETS
Fans can purchase Houston Softball tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.

JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.

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Kati Ray Brown

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