PREVIEW: Softball Opens Season with Houston Invitational

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball program begins its 2024 campaign with five games as part of the annual Houston Invitational at Cougar Softball Stadium. The Cougars open their season against Colgate, before battling Indiana State and Rutgers twice each.

Houston plays Colgate on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Indiana State at 4 p.m. On Saturday, the Cougars face off against Indiana State (12:30 p.m.) and Rutgers (3 p.m.), before closing the weekend against the Scarlet Knights on Sunday (Noon).

Houston Invitational
Teams				Houston, Colgate, Indiana State, Rutgers
Dates				Feb. 9 Rutgers vs. Colgate – 11 a.m. Houston vs. Colgate – 1:30 p.m. Houston vs. Indiana State – 4 p.m. Indiana State vs. Rutgers – 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 Indiana State vs. Colgate – 10 a.m. Houston vs. Indiana State – 12:30 p.m. Houston vs. Rutgers – 3 p.m. Colgate vs. Rugers – 5:30 p.m. Feb. 11 Colgate vs. Indiana State – 9:30 a.m. Houston vs. Rutgers - Noon
Location				Houston, Texas \| Cougar Softball Stadium
Live Streams				Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Live Stats				UHStats.com
Game Notes				Houston

HEAD COACH KRISTIN VESELY
Overall record: 186-163-1 (8th season)
At Houston: same

SERIES VS RUTGERS
Overall record: 3-2, Rutgers
Under Vesely: 1-0, Rutgers
Streak: Rutgers, 2

SERIES VS COLGATE
Overall record: 0-0, First Meeting
Under Vesely: 0-0, First Meeting

SERIES VS INDIANA STATE
Overall record: 0-0, First Meeting
Under Vesely: 0-0, First Meeting

FIRST PITCH

With the win over Wichita State on April 16, 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.
Houston joined the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2023. The 2024 season marks Houston's inaugural softball season in the conference, with the team's first Big 12 game coming on March 8 at home against Texas.
The Cougars face off against two new opponents in its opening weekend invitational. Houston has never battled Colgate nor Indiana State, but holds a 2-3 record against Rutgers.
While Houston boasts a new-look roster in 2024, the team does return a lot of experience. The team features 15 newcomers and just eight returners, however, six of the returners were starters on last year's team.
Turiya Coleman became the first player in Houston history to have an on-base percentage over .500 last season, breaking the program single-season record with a .503 mark in her first year with the Cougars. She also finished fifth in batting average (.397), ninth in stolen bases (17) and 10th in slugging percentage (.645).
Turiya Coleman was voted to the Preseason All-Big 12 team by the league's coaches. She becomes Softball's first Big 12 honoree with the recognition.
Houston added two new assistant coaches over the offseason: Nadia Taylor and Hope Trautwein. Taylor joins the Cougars after a year at Michigan State while Trautwein served as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma last season. Both currently play professional softball, as Taylor plays for Athletes Unlimited and Trautwein plays in the WPF.

BUY TICKETS
Tickets for the 2024 softball season are available now. This year's home slate features 30 games, including five Big 12 Conference series. Season tickets cost $120, or just $4 per game, and include all neutral site games at Cougar Softball Stadium. Click here to ensure you don't miss any of the action during the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference!

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as 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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