Houston Baseball Year-by-Year Archive
2024 SeasonRecord: 26-28 In its first season in the Big 12 Conference, Houston showed signs of future league success. The Cougars won six games against NCAA Regional teams and swept its Big 12 Opening Series against Baylor for the programs first conference opening sweep since 2018. The Cougars started the season winning six straight before another six-game winning streak through the first four games of league play had Houston at 12-4. Five Cougars earned All-Big 12 honors with Cary Arbolida (2nd Team), Justin Murray (2nd Team), Harold Coll (Honorable Mention), Cade Citelli (Honorable Mention) and Ace Reese (Freshman Team) earning the program's first Big 12 honors. For Murray, it was his second-straight season earning All-Conference honors. Arbolida led the Big 12 in slugging percentage by setting the school record for single-season slugging (.847) which ranked sixth nationally after Regional play. Murray was named a John Olerud Award Semifinalist for his two-way playing success while Anthony Tulimero was named to the Buster Posey Award Watch List even though he played the majority of his games at third base after returning from injury. |
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2023 SeasonRecord: 36-23 With its second-straight season with 35+ wins, the Houston baseball team powered through the 2023 season and dominated in American Athletic Conference play. Despite being the only team in the league to win every conference series, the Cougars finished second in the league standings only 0.5 games behind East Carolina. Its 17 conference wins were the most since 2006 when the Cougars were competing in Conference USA. Justin Murray was named Newcomer Position Player of the Year in the American while also tabbing All-Conference First Team nods. As the Cougars starting first baseman Murray spent most of his time on the first base bag but also served as the Cougars' most reliable closer. At the plate, Murray led the conference in batting average with a .417 clip and stolen bases at 12 while being second in hits (40), RBI (29) and steal attempts (15). The Cougars continued to improve on the hitting foundation they set in 2022. In only one season, the Houston hitters improved their home run count by almost a dozen rocketing 73 home runs for the first time since 2000. Junior third baseman Zach Arnold, who was also named to the All-Conference First Team, led the charge with 13 on the season including a three-home run game against UT Arlington. With Houston’s best slugging percentage since 2000, the Cougars offense produced the most RBI (321) as well as stolen bases (113) since 2008. With 113 stolen bags, the Cougars were a running threat, surpassing the 100 stolen base mark for the fifth time in school history as five players recorded 10+ stolen bases on the season. Houston finished its season with a 36-23 record tying the most 35+ win seasons among Division I schools since 2013 in the state of Texas. It was the eighth time in 11 seasons that the Cougars have surpassed the 35-win mark. |
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2022 SeasonRecord: 37-24 The University of Houston posted an 18-game turnaround in the win column, matching the best year-to-year improvement in program history during the 2022 season. Houston led The American in hits and finished second in batting average one season after ranking seventh in both categories. The Cougars finished second in saves and set a program record with a .984 fielding percentage. The Cougars' run to The American Championship title game, the program's fifth in eight seasons, saw the club set a league record with 61 hits while establishing a program record with nine home runs. Four players were named to the all-tournament team. With fans back in full force at Sanders Field at Schroeder Park for the first time since the beginning of the 2020 season, the Cougars did not disappoint, winning seven of eight home three-game series while racking up their most home victories (22) since 2018. The 2022 season also featured the return of the Silver Glove Series against Rice and Don Sanders Cup against Sam Houston. The Cougars took 2 of 3 against the Owls, bringing the Silver Glove back to Cullen Blvd. for the first time since 2018. With a sweep against Sam Houston, the Cougars captured both trophy series for the first time in the same season. Individually, redshirt sophomore Anthony Tulimero was named a semifinalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year while redshirt junior Ian McMillan was recognized as a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, honoring the nation's top shortstop. Houston closed its season with a 37-24 record, surpassing the 35-plus win mark for the seventh time in 10 seasons. |
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2021 SeasonRecord: 19-34 Houston starting pitcher Robert Gasser was named first-team all-conference while outfielder Tyler Bielamowicz was named to the second team. Gasser became the sixth pitcher in program history to record five 10-plus strikeout performances. The southpaw posted a 6-6 record and 2.63 ERA. His 105 strikeouts rank 12th in single-season program history. Bielamowicz led Houston with a .301 average alongside 24 RBIs and a team-best 23 walks. The senior offered up one of the season’s signature moments, delivering a walk-off home run in the 11th inning against No. 19 Texas on March 6 at Schroeder Park. Houston second baseman Brad Burckel finished tied for second in the league with four triples and fourth with 16 stolen bases. The Cougars led The American with 21 runners picked off -- 13 more than the second-closest team. Catcher Kyle Lovelace caught nine runners stealing including four in three games against No. 19 Texas. Cougar closer Derrick Cherry notched a 2.85 ERA in 19 appearances (41.0 innings). Houston student-athletes were recognized nine times by the league during the season. Gasser was twice named the AAC Pitcher of the Week and earned honor roll recognition once. Steven Rivas was tabbed AAC Player of the Week following opening weekend alongside one honor-roll recognition. Bielamowicz, Burckel, Cherry and Ryan Hernandez also picked up weekly honor roll mentions. |
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2020 SeasonRecord: 6-9 Houston posted a pair of victories against Top 25 opponents before its season was cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Cougars led The American in home runs per game and finished third in stolen bases per game. First baseman Ryan Hernandez finished second in the league with five homers while outfielder Steven Rivas struck three to finish fifth. Sophomore Derrick Cherry finished fourth in the league with three saves and Clay Aguilar went 2-0 in four starts, logging a 1.59 ERA. In the lone matchup of the Silver Glove Series, Houston downed Rice, 6-4, helped by a 3-for-4 effort from Tyler Bielamowicz. |
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2019 SeasonRecord: 32-24 Houston recorded its seventh straight season with at least 32 wins in 2019. The Cougars swept the Don Sanders Cup from Sam Houston State, the program’s first time to win the trophy in its three-year history. Head coach Todd Whitting collected the 300th win of his career in a 2-1 victory the Bearkats on March 26 at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park to highlight the series. 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. Senior first baseman Joe Davis continued to rewrite the record books in 2019. Already Houston’s all-time career home run and RBI leader after his junior season, he passed Brandon Caraway (82, 1997-00) for the all-time career extra-base hit record with a double in the series finale against Northwestern State on Feb. 17. With a home run at DBU on March 17, Davis passed Brandon Caraway (435, 1997-00) for the career total bases mark.On May 16 at UCF, Davis, who was named Midseason Perfect Game/Rawlings All-America Second Team, recorded his 52nd career double to pass David Villar (51, USF, 2016-18) for The American Athletic Conference career record. Davis closed his career with 53 home runs, 107 extra-base hits, 223 RBI and 503 total bases. At the conclusion of the regular season, Devon Roedahl was named The American Newcomer Pitcher of the Year, as five Cougars garnered postseason honors. Five Cougars were taken in the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft. |
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2018 SeasonRecord: 38-25 Houston Baseball produced yet another championship season, capturing its third American Athletic Conference regular-season title in the last four seasons when it finished 16-8 in the league under head coach Todd Whitting. The Cougars wrapped up the 2018 season at 38-25, the sixth straight season with at least 36 wins, while earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional, the program's 22nd NCAA Regional appearance. Houston finished its home season at Schroeder Park with a record of 22-6 and notched the highest home winning percentage (.786) since 2008. Playing in the nation's fourth-strongest baseball conference, Houston earned series sweeps over NCAA-host ECU on the road in Greenville, N.C. and at home vs. Wichita State and Memphis as well as winning the series on the road at UConn. In his eighth season at the helm, Whitting was tabbed the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, leading Houston to its fifth overall conference title in the last five years. Houston was led by American Pitcher of the Year Aaron Fletcher, who finished his junior season at 7-3 and with a team-low 2.19 ERA. 2018 marked the second straight season a Cougar has earned the league's top pitching honor as Trey Cumbie garnered the award in 2017. Cumbie earned Second Team All-Conference honors and led the team with 110 strikeouts. Also earning All-Conference Second Team honors was junior Joe Davis and sophomore Lael Lockhart Jr. Sophomore Jared Triolo led the offense with a .344 average and 85 hits, which ranks ninth all-time in a single season. He started and played all 63 games at third base and reached base in all but three games in 2018. Davis became the Houston all-time leader in home runs, breaking the previous record of 31, set by Pat Hewes back in 1985-86. Davis hit 13 home runs and wrapped up his third season with 35 career home runs. Davis finished with a .318 average and 62 RBI to rank eighth all-time. Houston was represented in the MLB First-Year Player Draft with three Cougars selected among the Top 40 Rounds. Cumbie was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13th Round, while Fletcher was taken by the Washington Nationals in the 14th Round and Joey Pulido in the 32nd Round by the Toronto Blue Jays. For their efforts off the field, seniors Joey Pulido and Connor Hollis were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team. |
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2017 SeasonRecord: 42-21 Houston Baseball notched its third 40-win season in the last four years under head coach Todd Whitting and became the first Cougar team to win a regular-season conference title and a conference tournament title in the same season since 2000. The Cougars were named an NCAA Regional host and played as the No. 1 seed in its 21st NCAA Regional appearance. Houston finished with a 42-21 overall record, a 15-9 mark in American play and a 23-9 record at Schroeder Park. The Cougars were led by American Player of the Year and Second Team All-American Jake Scheiner, who led the league with 18 home runs, second-most all-time in a single-season as well as hit for the triple crown (.346 avg., 64 RBI, 18 HR). LHP Trey Cumbie, The American Pitcher of the Year and Second Team All-American, became the first 10-game winner for the Cougars since 2013 as well as finished with a league-best 2.04 ERA. 2017 marked the first year in program history that Houston had a conference Player and Pitcher of the Year in the same season. Joining Scheiner and Cumbie on the All-Conference First Team was Corey Julks and named to the All-Conference Second Team was Connor Wong, Mitch Ullom and Joe Davis. |
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2016 SeasonRecord: 36-23 Houston notched its fourth straight 35+ win season under head coach Todd Whitting and advanced to the American Championship final for the third straight year. The Cougars finished with a record of 36-23 overall and a 23-9 mark at home. Houston captured the Silver Glove Series for the third straight year with a 2-1 record over Rice in 2016. Houston had five All-Conference representatives, four named to the First Team (Joe Davis, Nick Hernandez, Corey Julks, Connor Wong) and one to the Second Team (Seth Romero). The 2016 season was highlighted by the play of freshman Joe Davis, who was tabbed an All-American (Third Team) and the league's Rookie of the Year as well as a five-time First Team Freshman All-American and an All-Region selection along with Romero. Following the season, three Cougars were selected in the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft (Lantrip, Hernandez, Vidales) and Davis went on to compete in the 2016 College Home Run Derby in Omaha. |
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2015 SeasonRecord: 43-20 Houston captured its first American Athletic Conference regular-season title, first league title since 2002 and eighth in program history after recording a 16-8 mark among the toughest conference in the nation. The Cougars, led by head coach Todd Whitting, who was named the ABCA South Central Regional Coach of the Year, notched its second straight 40-win season, finishing with a 43-20 record and ranked No. 18 in the nation. With its impressive regular-season play, Houston was awarded an NCAA Regional hosting bid and the No. 1 seed at Cougar Field - the first time hosting since 2000 and just the third time ever in program history. Houston finished the year with a 26-8 mark at home, tallying the most home wins ever, while earning five weekend sweeps and eight shutouts on the season - a number that ranks among the nation's Top 10. Houston went on to capture its second straight Silver Glove series - the first time since trophy was established in 1998. Cougar Field saw a program-record 1,832 fans on average in 2015. The Cougars were highlighted by sophomore Andrew Lantrip's Third Team All-America honor by Perfect Game and freshman Seth Romero, who led the league with a 1.94 ERA and was tabbed a Freshman All-American and the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. Three Cougars were named to the All-Region Team (Survance, Lantrip, Iriart) and seven Cougars earned All-Conference honors with Kyle Survance leading the way as a First Team selection. Eight Cougars were selected in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft (Lemoine, Weigel, Survance, Iriart, Dowdy, Cobb, Fulmer, Rice) - the most since 11 in 2000. Houston Baseball, once again, excelled in the classroom - posting a program-record 3.09 cumulative GPA and the fourth-highest spring GPA at 2.97 as 24 student-athletes posted a 3.0 GPA or better. |
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2014 SeasonRecord: 48-18 Houston finished ranked No. 11 in the nation and notched one of the best seasons in program history, tying a program-record with 48 wins and earning its first trip to the NCAA postseason since 2008. The Cougars were ranked nationally for 13 straight weeks during the season, polling in as high as No. 5 in the nation during week 17. Houston captured the Baton Rouge Regional title with back-to-back wins over LSU to advance to the Austin Super Regional (vs. Texas) - a first since 2003. 2014 also saw Houston win the American Athletic Conference Baseball Championship tournament title with a win over Louisville. The Cougars posted the nation's No. 1 RPI in non-conference, regular-season play with an impressive 27-5 record. The 27 regular-season, non-conference wins was the most since 27 in 2002 for the program. Houston posted a home record of 25-8 for the most home wins since Cougar Field was redone in 1995. The Cougars opened 2014 with four straight home weekend sweeps, marking the first time in program history to accomplish that feat. Houston saw itself earn a season sweep of Rice - first since 1991 to reclaim the Silver Glove trophy, which has been with the Owls since 2000. The Cougars were led by one of the nation's top pitching staffs as senior relievers Chase Wellbrock (5-0, 12 SV) and Tyler Ford (9-0, 4 SV) combined for a 14-0 record and 16 saves. Freshman RHP Andrew Lantrip was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and the conference's Rookie of the Year, while eight other Cougars earned All-League honors. The postseason saw sophomores Josh Vidales and Kyle Survance earn American Baseball Championship and Baton Rouge Regional Most Outstanding Player honors, respectively. Three Cougars were tabbed All-Region led by seniors Casey Grayson and Chase Wellbrock on the First Team and senior Tyler Ford on the Second Team. Off the field, the Cougars continued to excel in the classroom, led by sophomore Justin Montemayor, who was tabbed a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District award winner. |
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2013 SeasonRecord: 36-22 Houston proved it's on the rise as the Cougars notched its first 30+ win season since '08, finishing with a 36-22 record and tied Rice for the most non-conference wins at 22. The Cougars garnered C-USA Newcomer of the Year (Frankie Ratcliff) and Freshman of the Year (Justin Montemayor) honors, while having four named to C-USA Second Team (Montemayor, Ratcliff, Austin Pruitt, Kyle Survance) and four to the All-Freshman Team (Montemayor, Survance, Josh Vidales, Jake Lemoine). The team also notched a program-best 3.17 GPA in the fall, while 25 were named to C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll. Montemayor and Caleb Barker were tabbed as C-USA Academic Medals and Barker and Daniel Poncedeleon earned Academic All-League honors. Houston senior ace Austin Pruitt tallied 10 wins for the first time since Brad Lincoln had 12 in 2006, while junior reliever Chase Wellbrock racked up 11 saves for the first time since Donnie Joseph had 11 in 2009. The Cougars jumped into the Top 25 national rankings for five weeks midseason ? for the first time since 2006 and produced its best 25-game start since 1989 at 21-4. |
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2012 SeasonRecord: 18-35-1 Houston saw Michael Pyeatt earn C-USA All-Freshman Team honors, while Landon Appling was named to the C-USA All-Tournament team for his second straight year. Academically, the Cougars posted a record team Spring GPA of 3.15 as senior Jared Ray was named to the C-USA All-Academic Team and Jonathan Davis was a Capital One Academic All-District First Team honoree. Cougar seniors Mo Wiley, John Cannon, and Jared Ray were all taken on the final day of the MLB First-Year Player Draft. |
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2011 SeasonRecord: 27-32 Head coach Todd Whitting returned to Houston for his first year as the leader of the program. The coached the Cougars to a spot in the Championship game of the C-USA Tournament and was one win away from advancing to the NCAA Tournament in his first season at the helm. He coached Caleb Ramsey to Second Team All-C-USA honors, Landon Appling to C-USA All-Freshman Team and Matt Creel to the C-USA All-Academic Team. Caleb Ramsey the only Cougar drafted in the MLB First Year Player Draft and went on the sign a professional contract. |
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2010 SeasonRecord: 25-31 In Rayner Noble's final year as head coach, the Cougars had six players drafted in the MLB First-Year Player Draft in June, led by Blake Kelso, a 10th Round selection. Also drafted were Michael Goodnight, Chris Wallace, Ty Stuckey, William Kankel and Jared Ray. Houston freshman M.P. Cokinos was a C-USA All-Freshman Team honoree. |
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2009 SeasonRecord: 27-31 Houston had three All-C-USA honorees, led by Donnie Joseph as a First Team selection, followed by Blake Kelso and Jared Ray as Second Team All-Conference honorees. Michael Goodnight was honored as a C-USA All-Freshman Team award winner. |
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2008 SeasonRecord: 42-24 Houston had a magical post season run, finishing ranked 30th in the nation in 2008 after capturing the C-USA Tournament title with five wins at the Championship. The Cougars went on to win three games at the College Station Regional, but would fall a win short to advance to a Super Regional. Bryan Pounds and Jake Stewart were First Team All-C-USA honorees, while Wes Musick was a Second Team selection. Chase Dempsay and Blake Kelso were honored as Freshman All-Americans by national publications and Bryan Pounds, Musick and Stewart were All-South Region honorees. |
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2007 SeasonRecord: 28-28 Despite missing the post-season, Houston saw Wes Musick named Freshman All-American and Josh Stirneman an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American honoree. Musick joined Jimmy Cesario as First Team All-C-USA award winners, while Luis Flores was a Second Team selection and Musick and Zak Presley were All-Freshman Team recipients. Aaron Brown was the Cougars' lone draftee, going in the Top 10 rounds of the MLB Draft. |
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2006 SeasonRecord: 39-22 2006 was highlighted by the magical year of Brad Lincoln. Lincoln was honored as the Dick Howser Trophy Winner as National Player of the Year. He was also honored by ABCA/Rawlings, Rivals.com and CSTV.com as National Player of the Year. Lincoln was named C-USA Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-C-USA, along with Isa Garcia and Matt Weston. Travis Cougot was named to the conference's All-Freshman team. Houston finished the year ranked No. 21 in the nation and Lincoln was the No. 4 overall draft pick in the 1st round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Also drafted were Weston, Brett Logan, Garcia, and Matt Farrington. |
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2005 SeasonRecord: 29-30 Houston's Justin Vaclavik was named All-South Region, while Travis Tully and Matt Farrington were First Team All-C-USA honorees. Joining them on the conference's list was Kevin Roberts, a Second Team selection. Taken in the MLB Draft were Roberts, Vaclavik, Tully and Gene Flores. |
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2004 SeasonRecord: 30-29 Houston posted a 19-11 mark in conference play, but missed the post season. Travis Tully was named Second Team All-C-USA, while Brad Lincoln garnered All-Freshman Team honoree nods. The Cougars saw eight players drafted, second-most in program history. Garrett Mock and Rob Johnson were taken in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, while Matt Varner, Rickey Putman, Patrick Breen, Brett Cooley, Cole Bruce, and Brandon Roznovsky were also drafted. |
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2003 SeasonRecord: 37-30 Houston had its second straight Super Regional appearance, winning the NCAA College Station Regional. The Cougars fell 1-2 in a three-game series at Reckling Park vs. Rice. Ryan Wagner earned six First Team All-American honors, while joining Brad Sullivan on the All-South Region Team. Hyung Cho and Sullivan were First Team All-C-USA honorees, while Wagner earned Second Team honors. Matt Farrington and Travis Tully were recognized on the All-Freshman Team. Cole Bruce was named College Station MVP. Houston finished the year ranked No. 16 and saw seven players drafted, highlighted by two First Round draft picks in Wagner and Sullivan. Also drafted were Michael Bourn, Danny Zell, Brian Henderson, Brett Cooley, and Cho. |
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2002 SeasonRecord: 48-17 Houston had one of its most recent prolific runs in the post season, finishing ranked No. 9 in the final rankings. After winning the Conference USA Regular Season and Mesa Regional with a perfect 3-0 record, the Cougars fell 1-2 to Texas in the Austin Super Regional, as Texas went on to win the College World Series that season. Brad Sullivan was named Conference Pitcher of the Year and Chris Synder was a Johnny Bench Catcher of the Year Finalist. Sullivan, Snyder and Jesse Crain were all First Team All-Americans, joined by Stuart Musslewhite as a Freshman All-American. Sullivan, Brett Cooley, Snyder and Crain were all First Team All-C-USA honorees, while Michael Bourn was a Second Team selection. Head Coach Rayner Noble was named South Central Region Coach of the Year and Keith Whatley was the Mesa Regional MVP. Wagner owned the NCAA single-season record with 16.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Crain and Snyder were Second Round selections in the draft, while Cooley, Whatley, and Nathan Mitchell were also drafted. |
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2001 SeasonRecord: 29-30 Houston produced an impressive 20-7 record in C-USA play. A very strong freshman class led the Cougars as five were named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in Michael Bourn, Brad Sullivan, Hyung Cho, Austin Faught, and Gene Flores. The Cougars advanced to the post-season and met Baylor, and UT-Arlington in the Houston Regional at Reckling Park. |
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