PREVIEW: Baseball Starts Big 12 Conference Play against Kansas State

Friday, March 13

Houston, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Houston

Kansas State

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PREVIEW: Baseball Starts Big 12 Conference Play against Kansas State

3/12/2026 3:40:00 PM | Baseball

Game Notes

Houston kicks off league play at Schroeder Park

HOUSTON – Houston Baseball begins its third Big 12 Conference slate on Friday as it hosts Kansas State for a three-game series at Don Sanders Field at Darryl and Lori Schroeder Park.

The series starts at 6:30 p.m., Friday, before continuing at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, and wrapping up at 1 p.m., Sunday.

Big 12 Baseball prize packs will be raffled off on both Friday and Saturday. Sunday marks Family Day, with yard games and inflatables for kids with the opportunity to run the bases and get autographs from the team after the game.

KANSAS STATE
Game One	Friday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. Darryl and Lori Schroeder Park \| Houston, Texas ESPN+ \| Stats \| Tickets
Game Two	Saturday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. Darryl and Lori Schroeder Park \| Houston, Texas ESPN+ \| Stats \| Tickets
Game Three	Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m. Darryl and Lori Schroeder Park \| Houston, Texas ESPN+ \| Stats \| Tickets
Game Notes	Houston
Media Center	Notes, Record Book, Rosters, Box Scores

Probable Starters
Friday

Houston: RHP Paul Schmitz (2-1, 7.71 ERA, 14.0 IP, 13 K)
Kansas State: RHP James Guyette (2-1, 4.50 ERA, 22.0 IP, 28 K)

Saturday

Houston: RHP Kendall Hoffman (1-0, 1.90 ERA, 23.2 IP, 14 K)
Kansas State: RHP Tanner Duke (1-1, 5.14 ERA, 14.0 IP, 16 K)

Sunday

Houston: TBD
Kansas State: LHP Lincoln Sheffield (4-0, 4.24 ERA, 23.1 IP, 22 K)

Quick Hitters

Houston is coming off a midweek victory against Rice on Tuesday, its second consecutive run-rule victory.
Houston ranks in the top 50 in numerous categories that the NCAA tracks, including hits allowed per nine innings (18^th, 6.94), ERA (38^th, 3.79), WHIP (38^th, 1.24) and double plays (43^rd, 14).
Senior Chris Scinta ranks sixth in pitching appearances (74) among NCAA Baseball players across all divisions.
Sophomore Kendall Hoffman leads the Big 12 among eligible pitchers with a .156 batting average on balls in play against. He and Scinta both rank within the top 10 in opponent OPS as well.
The Cougars play 11 different conferences including all of the Power 4 leagues. Houston has secured a win against an opponent from every other Power 4 conference.
Houston started the season with a 4-0 showing at the Puerto Rico Challenge, defeating No. 21 Wake Forest in the first NCAA Division I Baseball game of the season. The showing propelled the Cougars into the national spotlight, with the team receiving votes in the NCBWA Poll. Houston is still receiving votes in the fourth in-season release of the poll.
Junior Tre Broussard has been highly ranked on MLB Draft prospects lists. MLB.com put him at No. 46 on their first 2026 Top 100 Draft prospects list while FloBaseball tabbed him at 79^th, and D1Baseball placed him at No. 65.
Richie Roman, Paul Schmitz and Alex Solis were named to the 2026 Pitcher of the Year watchlist on Wednesday.
The Cougars face a loaded schedule in 2026, battling five teams that finished 2025 in the Top 25 of RPI. The team will play 29 of its 55 games against teams that finished in the Top 50 of the NCAA's RPI and 25 games against teams that made the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

THE SERIES
Houston vs. Kansas State

All-time: Kansas State leads 7-4
At Houston: Kansas State leads 5-1
Streak: Houston, 2 games
Last KSU Win: April 26, 2025 | Kansas State | 14-5
Last UH Win: May 12, 2025 | Big 12 Tournament | 9-2
Under Whitting: 2-5
Last 5: 2-3 (WWLLL)
Last 10: 3-7 (WWLLLLLWLL)
Longest UH Win Streak: 5
Longest KSU Win Streak: 5

SCHROEDER PARK BAG POLICY
To provide a safer environment for the public and to significantly expedite fan entry into all of Houston Athletics competition sites, Houston Athletics has implemented the clear bag policy it implements at TDECU Stadium and Fertitta Center at the remainder of its facilities (Schroeder Park, Cougar Softball Stadium and Carl Lewis International Complex [soccer and track and field] and the Athletics Alumni Center/Yeoman Fieldhouse).

The following items are allowed inside all ticketed UH Athletics events:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches
1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar)
A small clutch purse no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap (These small clutches remain subject to search)

Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the doors by arena personnel.

Items such as backpacks, purses and diaper bags are not permitted, and fans are strongly encouraged to not bring any bags to Houston Athletics facilities.

SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB 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 Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.

– UHCougars.com –