University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Rice
Preview: at Rice, Wednesday
4/30/2019 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
Cougars, Owls meet in continuation of Silver Glove Series
HOUSTON -- The University of Houston Baseball team steps out of American Athletic Conference play visiting Rice on Wednesday afternoon.
First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. at Reckling Park, and the game with the Owls marks the second of three as the two teams play for the Silver Glove Series Trophy. The Cougars fell Rice, 5-3, in the first game on March 5.
The Silver Glove Series began in 1998 and is played between Houston and Rice. At the end of the series in 2018, Houston Head Coach Todd Whitting presented the original trophy to former Rice Head Coach Wayne Graham in recognition of his contributions to the sport of baseball. For more on the trophy, click HERE.
UP TO THE PLATE
Houston (26-18, 9-9 The American) at Rice (21-23, 12-9 Conference USA)
May 1 | Reckling Park | Houston, Texas
Live Stats | Live Stream | Live Audio
All-Time Series: Houston trails, 81-107
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Wednesday: Houston LHP Brayson Hurdsman (1-0, 3.09) vs. Rice RHP Kel Bordwine (1-2, 5.47)
SINGLES
• Houston enters Wednesday with a 26-18 overall record.
• The Cougars are coming off a 2-2 week. Houston defeated Sam Houston State, 9-3, on Tuesday at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas, to complete the series sweep of the Don Sanders Cup. At the conclusion of the series, Cougars Clay Aguilar, Tyler Bielamowicz, Derrick Cherry, Joe Davis and Jared Triolo were named to the Don Sanders Cup All-Series Team with Triolo being named MVP. Houston dropped its series at USF, 2-1, over the weekend.
• Davis ranks second in The American and is tied for ninth in the nation in home runs (16). He is also third in the conference in RBI (50) and fourth in slugging percentage (.658). The Austin native also leads the team in batting average (.315), walks (32) and on-base percentage (.440), while Triolo holds top marks in hits (52), runs (34) and doubles (11).
• Davis was named to the Midseason Perfect Game/Rawlings All-America Second Team on April 3. The midseason honor is the first for the Cougars since D1Baseball and Perfect Game tabbed Jake Scheiner to the First Team in 2017.
• Junior right-hander Devon Roedahl leads The American in wins (6), with all coming out of the bullpen.
• Junior right-hander Fred Villarreal is tied for 22nd in the country in saves (9) and is 30th outright in ERA (1.94), leading the conference in ERA while tied for the top mark in saves. He also leads the league in appearances (26) and is second in opponent batting average (.204).
• Villarreal co-led the nation with a 0.00 ERA through Houston's first 10 games. His streak without allowing an earned run to start the season ended at 13 and one-third innings with two runs surrendered against Rice on March 5.
• Senior designated hitter Rey Fuentes III was named to the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic All-Tournament Team on March 5. At the tournament, Fuentes III batted .300 with one double, one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. The homer, which came against Texas State on March 2, was the first of his career.
• Houston is batting .250 as a team and has a 3.78 ERA, compared to opponents' .234 average and 4.20 ERA. The Cougar pitching staff leads The American in opponent batting average and saves (13) while ranking second in ERA.
ON RICE
• The Owls enter the midweek with a 21-23 record.
• Rice has won its last six games sweeping middle Tennessee and Louisiana Tech in Conference USA action over its last two weekends.
• Junior Matt Caterino was named the CUSA Pitcher of the Week on Monday. He was tabbed the CUSA Preseason Pitcher of the Year and a Preseason All-American by Baseball America (Second Team) and the NCBWA (Third Team).
• Senior designated hitter Andrew Dunlap leads the team and ranks second in the CUSA in RBI (50). He also leads Rice in batting average (.331), slugging percentage (.612), on-base percentage (445), home runs (11), RBI (50) and hit by pitch (16).
• The Owls were picked to finish fourth and garnered one first-place vote in the CUSA Preseason Poll.
• Rice is batting .275 as a team and has a 4.84 ERA, compared to opponents' .269 average and 5.77 ERA.
ON DECK
Following Wednesday, the Cougars, who are playing nine straight games in the Houston area, will host UNLV (May 3-5), FAU (May 8) and Tulane (May 10-12) at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
The Cougars will face the Owls again in the Silver Glove Series finale on May 14 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.
PARKING IN 2019
Gameday parking is offered in a different capacity than in prior years. Anyone entering Lot 16B (across the street from right field) will be subjected to paying a third party company employed by campus. This lot will no longer be an option for free parking on gamedays. All other lots surrounding the stadium will be free of charge two hours prior to first pitch.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" UHCougarBB on Facebook.
JOIN DUGOUT CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Baseball program by joining the Dugout Club. To find out more information about the Dugout Club, visit UHCougarPride.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
