PREVIEW: Softball Opens Big 12 Play by Hosting #2/#1 Texas

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball begins its inaugural Big 12 Conference slate by welcoming #2/#1 Texas for a three-game series this weekend.

The Cougars (16-5; 0-0 Big 12) have won four straight games, a sweep last weekend against Texas A&M-Commerce and a midweek victory against McNeese on Wednesday.

First pitches are scheduled for 6 p.m., Friday, noon, Saturday and noon, Sunday.

#2/#1 TEXAS (19-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Teams				Houston vs. #2/#1 Texas
Dates				Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday at noon Sunday at noon
Location				Houston \| Cougar Softball Stadium
Live Streams				Big 12 Now on ESPN+ \| Friday \| Saturday \| Sunday
Live Stats				UHStats.com
Game Notes				Houston

HEAD COACH KRISTIN VESELY
Overall record: 202-168-1 (8th season)
At Houston: same

SERIES vs McNEESE

Overall: 6-29
First Meeting: L, 1-3, Feb. 14, 2001
Last Meeting: L, 4-6, April 20, 2022
Last Houston Win: W, 3-1, April 3, 2018
In Houston: 3-8
Run Differential: 81-176 (T+95)
Last five: 0-5
Last 10: 1-9
Under Vesely: 1-8
Houston Streak: L5

FIRST PITCH

Houston joined the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2023. The 2024 season marks Houston's inaugural softball season in the conference and this weekend's series against Texas is the team's first league matchup.
Houston's 94 runs tied the program record for most runs through the first 11 games, originally set in 2014.
The team posted their best 11 game start (10-1) since 2008 when the program went 11-0. At 15-5, the team earned its best 20 game start since 2020 (16-4).
Bree Cantu's 30 RBIs so far this season rank 5th in the country and second in the Big 12.
The Cougars rank sixth nationally in walks drawn (86), eighth in scoring (7.95), 12th in on-base percentage (.444), 19th in slugging percentage (.539) and 20th in batting average (.344).
Shelby Smith ranks 7th in the country with eight wins while Kennedy Thomas sits at 5th in 'toughest to strike out' , 18th with 30 hits and 21st in on-base percentage (.568).
Houston played the longest game in program history in both innings and duration on Feb. 28 against McNeese. At 13 innings and four hours and 13 minutes, the game bested the previous marks of 12 innings vs. DePaul on March 22, 2005 and three hours and 57 minutes at Wichita State on April 14, 2023.
While Houston boasts a new-look roster in 2024, the team does return a lot of experience. The team features 16 newcomers and just eight returners, however, six of the returners were starters on last year's team.
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 in the same great seats!

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – 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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