The Cougars are on a seven game winning streak that has led to an undefeated 6-0 start in conference play. | Justin Tijerina/The Daily Cougar
After their seventh consecutive win, the Cougars are not satisfied with their perfect conference record.
With a couple of close calls, the team knows it still has a long way to accomplish the goals it set before the season began for a team that has reached the NCAA tournament for three consecutive years.
Though the American Athletic Conference has brought increased visibility and some talented teams, on the field it provides another advantage.
“I think the teams in C-USA just knew us,” said sophomore outfielder Katie St. Pierre. “Coach Holas always tells us that it’s all about making a good first impression.”
Head coach Kyla Holas believes that even though they’ve taken care of business thus far in conference play, the Cougars (16-10, 6-0) still have room for improvement.
“We need to clean up on the defensive side,” Holas said. “On the offensive side, we need to work on keeping their starting pitchers out of the game.”
The American has its share of old Conference USA foes, but it also presents new challenges for the team to face throughout the season.
“When we play at UConn, we have to be at the airport at 5 a.m. the morning of the game. We’ve never seen anything like that before,” Holas said.
So far, the new challenges haven’t inhibited the Cougars. This weekend, UH earned a three-game sweep against preseason conference favorite Louisville. During the weekend, the Cougars had pitchers and hitters earn recognition from the American.
Senior outfielder Kendra Cullum was named Player of the Week after batting .500, while Diedre and Haley Outon were both named to the Honor Roll.
But despite the awards, Diedre Outon said winning is the stat she worries about.
“This is a team sport, so if we have a bunch of individuals come out here and try to play, we’re not going to get very far,” Outon said. “If we just continue to work as a team, we’ll be alright.”
Breast cancer awareness
Houston softball will take on the Texas A&M Aggies on Wednesday, wearing special pink uniforms in the Striking Out Breast Cancer Game. The annual game is a great way for the team to give back to the community.
“This game started because former player Elaina Nordstrom’s mother was going through breast cancer,” Holas said. “It takes a lot of strength to go through what she was going through.”
Two players on the team, Diedre and Haley Outon, know what it’s like to be in a similar position.
“Cancer in general touches home for me, because my mom had leukemia,” Diedre Outon said. “It’s a great cause for people to come out and support. It means a lot, and I’m glad that our program does it.”
The Striking Out Breast Cancer Game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
It would be nice if the report identified what sport it is talking about up front