Friday, February 8
Houston
3:30 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
Kentucky
RV/RV Houston Opens 2019 Season
2/7/2019 11:59:00 AM | Softball
Cougars welcome a pair of top 25 teams to Cougar Softball Stadium
HOUSTON – Fresh off its NCAA Tournament berth in 2018, the RV/RV University of Houston Softball team opens its 2019 campaign on Friday, when the Cougars host the Houston Invitational Feb. 8-10 at Cougar Softball Stadium.
The Cougars waste no time putting their talented roster amongst the best in the nation as No. 13/15 Kentucky and No. 22/21 Oklahoma State both make their way to Houston this weekend. Illinois and Sam Houston State rounds out the competition that Houston will face to open the season.
Houston Invitational
A Prominent Return
Returning to Houston's lineup in 2019 is all five All-American Athletic Conference players from a year ago, including Co-Pitcher of the Year Savannah Heebner. Junior infielder Sarah Queen was also a member of the All-Conference First Team.
While, senior outfielder Maya Thomas and junior infielder Arielle James earned All-Conference Second Team accolades, sophomore infielder Aspen Howie received All-Conference Rookie Team honors.
The Best of the Best
Prior to the start of the season, senior pitcher/utility Savannah Heebner earned herself a spot on the Top 50 Watch List for the 2019 USA Softball Player of the Year award, which was announced by USA Softball. She was the only player from the American Athletic Conference named to the list.
Heebner was also named to Justin's World of Softball 2019 Preseason All-America list as member of the Second Team. Last year, the Sedalia, Colo., native led The American in wins (26), opponent batting average (.204) and a minuscule ERA of 1.15 in route to receiving, The American Co-Pitcher of the Year honors, as well as a Second Team NFCA All-America nod.
A Spotlight Getting Brighter
Entering the 2019 campaign, Houston saw itself appear in three different preseason polls, having earned respect from around the country. The Coogs were ranked No. 23 in the preseason poll from Softball America and No. 25 by Extra Inning Softball.
Houston also received recognition in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, earning one vote and 31 votes, respectively. The 31 votes Houston received in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll were the most of than any team outside of the top 25.
Cougars Picked Third
As voted on by the league's coaches, Houston was tabbed to finish third in The American preseason poll. The Cougars have now been chosen to finish in the top four of the conference in all three years of the Kristin Vesely era.
Houston also received one first place vote in this year's poll, marking the second consecutive year the Cougars have earned a first place vote in the preseason coach's poll. Last season, Houston saw itself receive two first place votes.
Stadium Upgrades
In August 2018, Houston Softball broke ground on its brand new practice facility, located down the right field line.
Measuring 70-feet by 80-feet, the 5,600-square-foot facility features five batting cages with retractable nets that creates space, which can be used in the variety of ways. The indoor facility also has a synthetic turf floor and is temperature controlled.
Between the newly installed Daktronics video board erected in 2018 and the practice facility, the two capital projects represent nearly $1.2 million in upgrades to the Cougar Softball Stadium.
Classroom Coogs
At the end of the Fall 2018 semester, Houston a new standard of excellence in the classroom with its 3.26 GPA for the fall term, which became the best fall GPA in program history.
Chemists
The unique mix between the Cougars' experienced veterans and talented underclassmen has created stability for the Houston Softball program.
Of the 20 players on Houston's roster, 12 are upperclassmen who have become integral pieces in building the program, while the other eight are underclassmen who show promise for the years to come.
An All-American Staff... Literally
All three Houston full-time coaches were All-Americans during their respective playing careers. Head Coach Kristin Vesely (2003-06) and Assistant Coach Jessica Shults (2010-13) eached played at Oklahoma under Head Coach Patty Gasso, while Assistant Coach Megan Gibson-Loftin (2005-08) played at Texas A&M under Head Coach Jo Evans. All three went on to play in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League after their collegiate careers.
Vesely, who finished her career as the Sooners' all-time hits leader with 293 hits, was a four-year All-Big 12 selection and two-time All-American, while Shults was a three-time All-American and helped the program to a national championship as both a player (2013) and staff member (2016).
Gibson-Loftin, who became the first player in Big 12 Conference history to be named both Player and Pitcher of the Year, was a three-time All-American and broke five career school records for the Aggies, including doubles (48), RBI (183), total bases (447), slugging percentage (.717) and walks (172). She was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2019 season are on sale now and can be purchased for $80. Fans can also purchase a flex package of 20 games, where they can choose which games they want to attend.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
JOIN DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH. For more information, Click Here.
– UHCougars.com –
The Cougars waste no time putting their talented roster amongst the best in the nation as No. 13/15 Kentucky and No. 22/21 Oklahoma State both make their way to Houston this weekend. Illinois and Sam Houston State rounds out the competition that Houston will face to open the season.
Houston Invitational
- Friday, Feb. 8 at 3:30 p.m. | RV/RV Houston vs. No. 13/15 Kentucky | Live Stats | Watch
- Friday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. | RV/RV Houston vs. No. 22/21 Oklahoma State | Live Stats | Watch
- Saturday, Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. | RV/RV Houston vs. No. 13/15 Kentucky | Live Stats | Watch
- Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. | RV/RV Houston vs. Illinois | Live Stats | Watch
- Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. | RV/RV Houston vs. Sam Houston State | Live Stats | Watch
A Prominent Return
Returning to Houston's lineup in 2019 is all five All-American Athletic Conference players from a year ago, including Co-Pitcher of the Year Savannah Heebner. Junior infielder Sarah Queen was also a member of the All-Conference First Team.
While, senior outfielder Maya Thomas and junior infielder Arielle James earned All-Conference Second Team accolades, sophomore infielder Aspen Howie received All-Conference Rookie Team honors.
The Best of the Best
Prior to the start of the season, senior pitcher/utility Savannah Heebner earned herself a spot on the Top 50 Watch List for the 2019 USA Softball Player of the Year award, which was announced by USA Softball. She was the only player from the American Athletic Conference named to the list.
Heebner was also named to Justin's World of Softball 2019 Preseason All-America list as member of the Second Team. Last year, the Sedalia, Colo., native led The American in wins (26), opponent batting average (.204) and a minuscule ERA of 1.15 in route to receiving, The American Co-Pitcher of the Year honors, as well as a Second Team NFCA All-America nod.
A Spotlight Getting Brighter
Entering the 2019 campaign, Houston saw itself appear in three different preseason polls, having earned respect from around the country. The Coogs were ranked No. 23 in the preseason poll from Softball America and No. 25 by Extra Inning Softball.
Houston also received recognition in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, earning one vote and 31 votes, respectively. The 31 votes Houston received in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll were the most of than any team outside of the top 25.
Cougars Picked Third
As voted on by the league's coaches, Houston was tabbed to finish third in The American preseason poll. The Cougars have now been chosen to finish in the top four of the conference in all three years of the Kristin Vesely era.
Houston also received one first place vote in this year's poll, marking the second consecutive year the Cougars have earned a first place vote in the preseason coach's poll. Last season, Houston saw itself receive two first place votes.
Stadium Upgrades
In August 2018, Houston Softball broke ground on its brand new practice facility, located down the right field line.
Measuring 70-feet by 80-feet, the 5,600-square-foot facility features five batting cages with retractable nets that creates space, which can be used in the variety of ways. The indoor facility also has a synthetic turf floor and is temperature controlled.
Between the newly installed Daktronics video board erected in 2018 and the practice facility, the two capital projects represent nearly $1.2 million in upgrades to the Cougar Softball Stadium.
Classroom Coogs
At the end of the Fall 2018 semester, Houston a new standard of excellence in the classroom with its 3.26 GPA for the fall term, which became the best fall GPA in program history.
Chemists
The unique mix between the Cougars' experienced veterans and talented underclassmen has created stability for the Houston Softball program.
Of the 20 players on Houston's roster, 12 are upperclassmen who have become integral pieces in building the program, while the other eight are underclassmen who show promise for the years to come.
An All-American Staff... Literally
All three Houston full-time coaches were All-Americans during their respective playing careers. Head Coach Kristin Vesely (2003-06) and Assistant Coach Jessica Shults (2010-13) eached played at Oklahoma under Head Coach Patty Gasso, while Assistant Coach Megan Gibson-Loftin (2005-08) played at Texas A&M under Head Coach Jo Evans. All three went on to play in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League after their collegiate careers.
Vesely, who finished her career as the Sooners' all-time hits leader with 293 hits, was a four-year All-Big 12 selection and two-time All-American, while Shults was a three-time All-American and helped the program to a national championship as both a player (2013) and staff member (2016).
Gibson-Loftin, who became the first player in Big 12 Conference history to be named both Player and Pitcher of the Year, was a three-time All-American and broke five career school records for the Aggies, including doubles (48), RBI (183), total bases (447), slugging percentage (.717) and walks (172). She was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.
Season tickets for the 2019 season are on sale now and can be purchased for $80. Fans can also purchase a flex package of 20 games, where they can choose which games they want to attend.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH. For more information, Click Here.
– UHCougars.com –