PREVIEW: Cougars Host Arizona State in Final Big 12 Home Series

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team is set to host its final Big 12 home series of the season when it faces Arizona State on April 17-19.

Game one is set to start at 6 p.m., Friday. The teams then meet again at 3 p.m., Saturday, before a noon, Sunday, finale, as both programs meet for the first time as conference foes.

Arizona State (32-13, 5-10 Big 12 Conference)
Date \| Time	Game 1: Friday, April 17 \| 6 p.m. CT Game 2: Saturday, April 18 \| 3 p.m. CT Game 3: Sunday, April 19 \| 12 p.m. CT
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 Arizona State:

All-Time: 0-3
in Houston: 0-1
in Phoenix: 0-2
in Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Houston Win: N/A
Last Arizona State Win: 8-4 (March 5, 2023)
Last 10 in Series: 0-3
Current Streak: L3

FIRST PITCH

Senior Day ceremonies will be held pregame to celebrate the careers of four Cougars in Mandy Esman, Paris Lehman, Kylei Griffin and Gabby Rawls.
Sitting on 64 home runs this season, the 2026 Cougars have now produced the third most homers in a single season in program history. One of three teams to hit 60 or more in a season, Houston sits three homers away from tying the second-most of 67 set in 2011.
The pair of sophomore Maddie Hartley and junior Makenna Mitchell continue to make noise at the plate as the first Houston duo in program history to produce 15+ homers in the same season. Hartley's 18 currently ranks second in single-season program history behind 2012's Haley Outon (22) and 2008's Laurie Wagner (19). Mitchell's 16 lists her in a four-way tie for fourth alongside Melissa Gregson (2011) and Outon twice (2013-14).
With 13 doubles on the year and tied for sixth on the all-time single-season doubles list, Mitchell sits one double shy of a spot in the top five for a tie with Laurie Wagner's 14 in 2008.
With 44 and 42 RBIs this season respectively, Hartley and Mitchell continue to inch close to 50 RBIs on the year.
Houston ranks 20^th nationally in home runs and 31^st in homers per game, sitting fourth among Big 12 programs behind Texas Tech (97), Kansas (72) and Arizona State (71).
Hartley and Mitchell both rank inside the Big 12's top three home run hitters this season in first and third, respectively.
Sophomore Isabel Cintron leads the Big 12 in sac bunts this season with nine.
Sophomore pitcher Nevaeh Brown has five complete games this season while also sitting one win away from her first 10+ win season. Brown has struck out the sixth most batters amongst Big 12 pitchers (77) while ranking second in innings pitched (117.2).
Mitchell ranks third in the Big 12 in assists with 96 on the season, trailing only Iowa State's Reagan Bartholomew (98) and UCF's Aubrey Evans (97).
Cintron ranks second in the Big 12 in runners caught stealing with six on the season, only four behind UCF's Beth Damon (13).

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 −

Arizona State (32-13, 5-10 Big 12 Conference)
Date \| Time	Game 1: Friday, April 17 \| 6 p.m. CT Game 2: Saturday, April 18 \| 3 p.m. CT Game 3: Sunday, April 19 \| 12 p.m. CT
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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