Cougars Return Home to Host Tulsa

HOUSTON – The University of Houston softball team returns home for a three-game set against Tulsa this weekend at Cougar Softball Stadium.

The series kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday matchup at 2 p.m. The teams close the weekend on Sunday at noon. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.

The weekend is also kid's weekend at Cougar Softball Stadium with games and other activities for young fans all series long. Sunday is Houston's Bark at the Park Day and fans are encouraged to bring their dogs for the noon start against Tulsa. Alongside Bark at the Park, the 2022 World Series Champion Houston Astros will continue their Trophy Tour as the Commissioner's Trophy makes an appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Tulsa
Teams				Houston vs. Tulsa
Dates				April 21 at 6 p.m. April 22 at 2 p.m. April 23 at noon
Location				Cougar Softball Stadium
Live Stream				ESPN+ \| Friday \| Saturday \| Sunday
Live Stats				U HStats.com
Game Notes				Houston
Social Media				@uhcougarsb \| @uhccougarsb \| Cougar Softball \| #GoCoogs

HEAD COACH KRISTIN VESELYOverall record: 185-154-1 (7th season)
At Houston: same

SERIES VS. TULSAOverall record: 29-24-1, Tulsa
Under Vesely: 12-7-1, Tulsa
Streak: Houston, 1

THE RUNDOWN

Houston is 24-29-1 all-time against Wichita State. Under Vesely, the Cougars are 7-12-1 against the Golden Hurricane.
Houston won last year's series, 2-1-1.
Houston is 5-4-1 in its last 10 games against Tulsa.
Houston is on a three-game unbeaten streak against Tulsa.

FIRST PITCH

Turiya Coleman enters the weekend with multiple stats among the best in the NCAA. Nationally, she ranks 24th in batting average (.434), 26th in on base percentage (.514) and 40th in hits (40). Kenna Wilkey also ranks near the top at 17th in innings pitched (149.2), 29th in strikeouts (149), both of which also lead the conference, and 38th in victories (14). Bree Cantu sits at 31st in sacrifice flies with four.
Wilkey and Cantu picked up American Athletic Conference honor roll nods after a successful week. Wilkey finished 1-2 on the week with three complete games and a shutout against #20/#23 Wichita State. Cantu went 7-for-17 at the plate with two doubles and a home run, along with four RBI.
Houston broke its season sacrifice flies record last weekend with its 20th of the year.
With the win over Wichita State, head coach Kristin Vesely extended her streak and has defeated a top-25 opponent in each of her seven years at the helm of the Cougars.
Bree Cantu leads the AAC in batting average in conference games, hitting .611 near the league slate's midway point. She also leads the conference in on-base percentage (.682), slugging percentage (1.067) and doubles (5). Among pitchers, Wilkeypaces the league in strikeouts (58) and wins (6).
Houston was placed at #87 in RPI entering the weekend matchup. RPI is released by the NCAA every weekday morning. The Cougars rank fourth in The American in RPI, behind Wichita State, UCF and South Florida, all three being 2021 NCAA tournament teams.
Houston sits tied for second in The American after four weeks of conference play and is one of two teams to have taken a game from leader Wichita State. Every team plays the other six conference opponents with one bye weekend. Houston has played Memphis, East Carolina, Wichita State and had its bye weekend so far. The Cougars still face UCF, Tulsa and South Florida.
Among active Division I players, Wilkey has the 19th most appearances (137), 29th most wins (56), the 22nd most innings pitched (601.3) and the 32nd most strikeouts (535).
The Cougars boast one of the tougher nonconference schedules in the conference. Houston's nonconference slate was ranked as the 31st toughest, only behind UCF (30th) in the conference.
The Cougars are playing their last season in The American prior to joining the Big 12 Conference next season.

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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Bree Cantu

Turiya Coleman

Kenna Wilkey

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