Cougars Face McNeese, Incarnate Word Before Starting Big 12 Play Against Texas Tech

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team is set to play five games in six days with midweek matchups against McNeese and Incarnate Word before hosting No. 2 Texas Tech to open Big 12 Conference play this weekend.

The Cougars begin a home-and-away clash with hosting the Cowgirls at 6 p.m., Tuesday, before facing the Cardinals at 5 p.m., Wednesday, in San Antonio. Houston will then host its conference opening series against the Red Raiders which starts at 6 p.m., Friday. The teams the meet again at 3 p.m., Saturday, before a 1 p.m., Sunday, finale.

McNeese (15-7, 0-0 Southland)
Date \| Time	Tuesday, March 3 \| 6 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Watch \| Stats \| Tickets
Incarnate Word (14-7, 0-0 Southland)
Date \| Time	Wednesday, March 4 \| 5 p.m.
Location	HEB Field \| San Antonio, Texas
Links	Stats (No stream available)
No. 2 Texas Tech (22-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Date \| Time	Game 1: Friday, March 6 \| 6 p.m. Game 2: Saturday, March 7 \| 3 p.m. Game 3: Sunday, March 8 \| 1 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Game 1 (Friday): Watch \| Stats \| Tickets Game 2 (Saturday): Watch \| Stats \| Tickets Game 3 (Sunday): Watch \| Stats \| Tickets

Series History vs McNeese:

All-Time: 17-15
in Houston: 11-9
in Lake Charles: 6-6
in Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Houston Win: 9-1 (02/21/26)
Last McNeese Win: 7-3 (02/20/26)
Last 10 in Series: 3-7
Current Streak: W1

Series History vs Incarnate Word:

All-Time: 5-1
in Houston: 4-1
in San Antonio: N/A
in Neutral Sites: 1-0
Last Houston Win: 7-6 (02/28/26)
Last Incarnate Word Win: 4-3 (05/05/16)
Last 10 in Series: 5-1
Current Streak: W5

Series History vs Texas Tech:

All-Time: 6-8
in Houston: 3-4
in Lubbock: 0-3
in Neutral Sites: 3-1
Last Houston Win: 8-0 (04/27/24)
Last Texas Tech Win: 3-0 (04/13/25)
Last 10 in Series: 4-6
Current Streak: L4

First Pitch

Houston will face off against both McNeese and Incarnate Word for the third time this season, having played both foes two times previously this season. The Cougars and Cowgirls split meetings on back-to-back days at the Cajun AC Louisiana Clash on Feb. 20-21 (7-3 L, 9-1 W), while Houston sits at 2-0 in 2026 against the Cardinals, winning both meetings at the Houston and Longhorn Invitationals on Feb. 15 (7-0 W) & Feb. 28 (7-6 W).
After recording 32 home runs in all of 2025, Houston surpassed last season's total in just 16 games, now totaling 34 home runs through 20 games this season.
The Cougars are one of 18 programs nationally with 30+ homers this season, ranking second the Big 12 (Texas Tech - 45) while ranking 11th nationally in total home runs (34) and homers per game (1.70).
The Cougar trio of sophomores Maddie Hartley, Ariel Redmond and junior Makenna Mitchell rank first and tied for third, respectively, in the Big 12 Conference for home run leaders with nine, seven and seven.
Mitchell and Hartley along with sophomore Nevaeh Brown were recognized as Top Performers following week two by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The recognition marks Brown and Hartley's second of the season.

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McNeese (15-7, 0-0 Southland)
Date \| Time	Tuesday, March 3 \| 6 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Watch \| Stats \| Tickets
Incarnate Word (14-7, 0-0 Southland)
Date \| Time	Wednesday, March 4 \| 5 p.m.
Location	HEB Field \| San Antonio, Texas
Links	Stats (No stream available)
No. 2 Texas Tech (22-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Date \| Time	Game 1: Friday, March 6 \| 6 p.m. Game 2: Saturday, March 7 \| 3 p.m. Game 3: Sunday, March 8 \| 1 p.m.
Location	Cougar Softball Stadium \| Houston, Texas
Links	Game 1 (Friday): Watch \| Stats \| Tickets Game 2 (Saturday): Watch \| Stats \| Tickets Game 3 (Sunday): Watch \| Stats \| Tickets

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