The Cougars’ fall season rolls on with an exhibition match against the US National Team at 7 p.m. today at Cougar Softball Stadium.
Nine letterwinners from last season’s Conference USA championship team return, but UH is trying to work in eight newcomers as well.
“We want them to work on playing together,” head coach Kyla Holas said.
The fall will provide the Cougars an opportunity to straighten out their pitching situation after losing senior pitchers Amanda Crabtree and Donna Bourgeois.
“We had a really good season last year, so our expectations are even higher,” Holas said.
“But you have to watch that with losing senior pitching. We do feel like we have a very talented and hardworking team.”
Sophomore Diedre Outon, senior Bailey Watts and freshmen Ty’ara Law and Summer Groholski will try to fill the void for the Cougars.
As a freshman, Outon went 6-3 with a 1.73 ERA in seven appearances and earned C-USA All-Freshman Team honors.
Outon and Law will pitch in today’s game as Watts and Groholski recover from injuries.
Watts is coming off of surgery after last season.
Law incurred a stress fracture, and Groholski broke her arm during strength and conditioning drills.
Holas expects all four pitchers to be healthy for the spring schedule.
