SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Houston Baseball’s season opener against Cal on Friday, Feb. 18, part of the four-team MLB4 Tournament, will be broadcast on MLB Network, Major League Baseball announced Thursday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. CT.
The contest will take place at Scottsdale’s Salt River Fields, the award-winning Spring Training home of the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cougars will round out the event against San Diego State (Feb. 19, 6 p.m.) and TCU (Feb. 20, 11 a.m.).
The Cougars are making their first appearance in the event. Houston and Cal will be meeting for the eighth time in program history and first since 2013. The Cougars own a 5-2 advantage in the series.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
Houston returns 14 lettermen, including three positional starters from a season ago. On the mound, the Cougars welcome back three student-athletes who made four-or-more starts in addition to one of the nation’s top closers in Derrick Cherry.
Cougar first baseman Ryan Hernandez, who led Houston in hits (52), multi-hit games (16), RBIs (37) and home runs (11), returns for his senior season. Redshirt junior Ian McMillan, regarded as one of The American’s top shortstops, is also back.
Jaycob Deese and Ben Sears, who combined to make 31 appearances and 20 starts in 2021, provide a strong 1-2 punch on the mound. Sears finished second on the team for innings (67.1) while Deese’s 52 strikeouts ranked second on the club a season ago.
The Cougars’ 2022 roster features 24 newcomers including eight right-handed pitchers, six southpaws, three utility players, two infielders, three catchers and two outfielders.
DUGOUT CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Baseball program directly by joining the Dugout Club. To find out more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH or visit UHCougarPride.com.
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