PREVIEW: Cougars Face Texas State, Kentucky Before First Road Big 12 Weekend Against Iowa State

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team is set to cap off the final two games of a nine-game homestand this week when it takes on Texas State and Kentucky in midweek action before competing in its first Big 12 Conference play road weekend against Iowa State.

The Cougars will face the Bobcats at 6 p.m., Tuesday, and the Wildcats at 6 p.m., Wednesday, followed by a road conference series against the Cyclones on March 20-22 with game one set to start at 4 p.m., Friday in Ames, Iowa. The teams then meet again at 1 p.m., Saturday, before a noon, Sunday, finale.

TEXAS STATE (18-9, 2-1 Sun Belt)
Date \| Time	Tuesday, March 17 \| 6 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Watch \| Stats \| Tickets
KENTUCKY (19-9, 1-5 SEC)
Date \| Time	Wednesday, March 18 \| 6 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Watch \| Stats \| Tickets
IOWA STATE (15-10, 0-3 Big 12)
Date \| Time	Game 1: Friday, March 20 \| 4 p.m. Game 2: Saturday, March 21 \| 1 p.m. Game 3: Sunday, March 22 \| Noon
Location	Cyclone Sports Complex \| Ames, Iowa
Links	Game 1 (Friday): Watch \| Stats Game 2 (Saturday): Watch \| Stats Game 3 (Sunday): Watch \| Stats

Series History vs Texas State:

All-Time: 17-14
in Houston: 9-6
in San Marcos: 8-6
in Neutral Sites: 0-2
Last Houston Win: 4-3 (April 23, 2019)
Last Texas State Win: 8-2 (Feb. 20, 2022)
Last 10 in Series: 4-6
Current Streak: L5

Series History vs Kentucky:

All-Time: 2-2
in Houston: 2-2
in Lexington: N/A
in Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Houston Win: 4-3 (Feb. 8, 2019)
Last Kentucky Win: 13-1 (Feb. 9, 2019)
Last 10 in Series: 2-2
Current Streak: L1

Series History vs Iowa State:

All-Time: 9-5
in Houston: 6-3
in Ames: 1-2
in Neutral Sites: 2-0
Last Houston Win: 3-2 (3/9/25)
Last Iowa State Win: 10-8 (3/7/25)
Last 10 in Series: 5-5
Current Streak: W2

FIRST PITCH

Houston has trended upward in the D-1 Softball RPI Ranking this season, rising 41 spots and currently sitting at 44 after ending the season on 2025 ranked 85.
The Cougars have faced four opponents ranked in the RPI top 25 a total of eight times this season, including a road victory over McNeese (Feb. 21) at 23. Houston also has three wins against teams inside the top 50 in McNeese, Michigan and Kansas.
The Cougars are currently ranked ninth nationally with 46 homers this season, ranking third in the Big 12 only behind Texas Tech (59) and Kansas (50).
The Cougars are four home runs shy from the 50-homer mark this season, having only been reached seven times in program history.
With 12 homers on the season, Hartley sits on the cusp of breaking into the top 10 single-season home run leaders list, just one home runs shy from a four-way tie with Brooke Lathan (2011), Elaina Nordstrom (2008), Sarah Queen (2021) and Becca Schulte (2021) with 13 in their respective seasons.
The Cougars are currently ranked ninth nationally with 46 homers this season, ranking third in the Big 12 only behind Texas Tech (59) and Kansas (50).
A Cougar trio of Hartley (first), junior Makenna Mitchell (T-third) and sophomore Ariel Redmond (T-10^th) are still riding hot bats to this point in the season, all ranking in the top 10 Big 12 home run leaders.
Sophomore Ariel Redmond enters the week on a five-game hitting streak, tallying six total hits in that stretch.
Adding two this past weekend, sophomore Isabel Cintron ranks second in the Big 12 in runners caught stealing with six on the season, only two behind UCF's Beth Damon (8).

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.

GAMEDAY CLEAR 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.

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.

− UHCougars.com −

TEXAS STATE (18-9, 2-1 Sun Belt)
Date \| Time	Tuesday, March 17 \| 6 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Watch \| Stats \| Tickets
KENTUCKY (19-9, 1-5 SEC)
Date \| Time	Wednesday, March 18 \| 6 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Watch \| Stats \| Tickets
IOWA STATE (15-10, 0-3 Big 12)
Date \| Time	Game 1: Friday, March 20 \| 4 p.m. Game 2: Saturday, March 21 \| 1 p.m. Game 3: Sunday, March 22 \| Noon
Location	Cyclone Sports Complex \| Ames, Iowa
Links	Game 1 (Friday): Watch \| Stats Game 2 (Saturday): Watch \| Stats Game 3 (Sunday): Watch \| Stats

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