University of Houston Athletics
Thursday, February 5
Houston, Texas
4 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
Houston Christian
PREVIEW: Softball Starts Season with Houston Tournament
2/4/2026 7:14:00 PM | Softball
Cougars open Schoonmaker era; host Houston Christian and Fairfield on Opening Weekend
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball is set to throw the first pitch of its 2026 campaign on Thursday as it hosts the Houston Tournament.
The Cougars will open the season against cross-town foes Houston Christian at 4 p.m., Thursday, followed by a Friday doubleheader against both HCU (2 p.m.) and Fairfield (5 p.m.) before closing the weekend once against battling the Stags at 2 p.m., Saturday, at Cougar Softball Stadium.
Series against HCU
Series against Fairfield
First Pitch
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.
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.
The Cougars will open the season against cross-town foes Houston Christian at 4 p.m., Thursday, followed by a Friday doubleheader against both HCU (2 p.m.) and Fairfield (5 p.m.) before closing the weekend once against battling the Stags at 2 p.m., Saturday, at Cougar Softball Stadium.
| HOUSTON TOURNAMENT | |
| Teams | Houston | Houston Christian | Fairfield |
| Date | Time | Day 1 - Thursday, Feb. 5 4 p.m. – HCU vs. Houston | Live Stats | Watch | Tickets Day 2 - Friday, Feb. 6 11 a.m. – HCU vs. Fairfield | Live Stats | Tickets 2 p.m. – HCU vs. Houston | Live Stats | Watch | Tickets 5 p.m. – Fairfield vs. Houston | Live Stats | Watch | Tickets Day 3 - Saturday, Feb. 7 11 a.m. – Fairfield vs. HCU | Live Stats | Tickets 2 p.m. – Fairfield vs. Houston | Live Stats | Watch | Tickets |
| Location | Cougar Softball Stadium | Houston, Texas |
| Game Notes | Houston | HCU | Fairfield |
Series against HCU
- Overall: 11-2
- in Houston (at UH): 11-2
- in Houston (at HCU): N/A
- in Neutral Sites: N/A
- Last Houston Win: 11-0, April 22, 2025
- Last HCU Win: 7-0, Feb. 27, 2022
- Last 5 in Series: 4-1
- Last 10 in Series: 8-2
- Current Streak: W3
Series against Fairfield
- Overall: First Meeting
First Pitch
- Houston Softball begins a new era at Cougar Softball Stadium, set to compete in its first season under first-year head coach Chrissy Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker, the 2022 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and former University of Houston Softball assistant coach, was named the third coach in program history on June 10, 2025.
- Schoonmaker's appointment as head coach brings in fresh faces to help lead Houston Softball into a new era. Over the summer, Houston welcomed the additions of Jeff Cottrill, Jordan Gontram and Nyree White as assistant coaches as well as Danielle Schoenly as Director of Operations.
- Houston returns 15 players from the 2025 campaign. The 2026 Cougars feature nine newcomers with two transfers in senior Kylei Griffin (Texas A&M) and sophomore London Park (Illinois) as well as seven freshmen in Ronnie Esparza, Leilani Garcia, RyLee Gardner, Hailey Gore, Shelby Taylor, Kaitlynn Torres and Kylee Savant.
- Back in early January, Esparza and Garcia both were named to the Softball America Big 12 Freshman Watch List.
- The Cougars have hit the ground running during opening weekend over the last several seasons. Houston have won their last six games in season opening tournament as well as nine of their last 10 at the Houston Tournament dating back to 2024.
- Houston Softball enter the 2026 season sitting on 796 wins in program history. With a clean sweep of victories on opening weekend against Houston Christian and Fairfield, the Cougars would reach 800 program wins.
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.
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 −
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UT
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