Softball Heads to Orlando to Battle UCF

HOUSTON – The University of Houston softball team travels to Orlando this weekend for a three-game series against fellow future Big 12 Conference member UCF.

The series starts on Friday at 5 p.m. CT and continues on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. The weekend finale begins on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.

UCF
Teams				Houston at UCF
Dates				April 28 at 5 p.m. CT April 29 at 3 p.m. CT April 30 at 11 a.m. CT
Location				Orlando, Fla.
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: 185-157-1 (7th season)
At Houston: same

SERIES VS. UCFOverall record: 29-22, UCF
Under Vesely: 11-6, UCF
Streak: UCF, 1

THE RUNDOWN

Houston is 22-29 all-time against UCF. Under Vesely, the Cougars are 6-11 against the Knights.
Houston dropped last year's series, 1-2, and took UCF to extras in the conference championship semifinals, but failed to advance, 4-2 in eight innings.
Houston is 2-8 in its last 10 games against Tulsa.

FIRST PITCH

Turiya Coleman enters the weekend with multiple stats among the best in the NCAA. Nationally, she ranks 33rd in batting average (.419) and 30th in on base percentage (.506). Kenna Wilkey also ranks near the top at 22nd in innings pitched (162.2), 32nd in strikeouts (158), both of which also lead the conference. Bree Cantu sits at 39th in sacrifice flies with four.
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.
Cantu leads the AAC in batting average in conference games, hitting .553 nearing the end of the season. She also leads the conference in on-base percentage (.609), and doubles (7). Among pitchers, Wilkey paces the league in strikeouts (67), innings pitched (61.1).
Kati Ray Brown is the only AAC catcher to have picked off the only runner in conference play this season.
Houston has not had a conference series go unaffected by weather yet this season. The team has faced two postponements (Memphis, ECU) and two delays (Wichita St., Tulsa).
Houston sits tied for third in The American after three 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, Tulsa and had its bye weekend so far. The Cougars still face UCF and South Florida.
Among active Division I players, Wilkey has the 20th most appearances (139), 32nd most wins (56), the 23rd most innings pitched (614.1) and the 32nd most strikeouts (544).
The Cougars boast one of the tougher nonconference schedules in the nation. Houston's nonconference slate was ranked as the 35th toughest.
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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Kati Ray Brown

Bree Cantu

Turiya Coleman

Kenna Wilkey

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