Houston softball opens 2026 season with sweep of Houston Tournament

Houston softball opened the coach Chrissy Schoonmaker era with a dominant weekend at Cougar Softball Stadium from Feb. 5-7.

The Cougars went 4-0 in the Houston Tournament, outscoring opponents 27-4 and capping it off with the 800th win in the program’s history behind a combination of power hitting, pitching depth and steady defense.

“It feels awesome,” Schoonmaker said of the milestone. “It’s a remarkable testament to the program itself. I think the future of Houston softball is bright.”

Three home runs help open the Schoonmaker era with a bang

The Schoonmaker era of Houston softball kicked off the Houston Tournament with an 8-1 victory over Houston Christian on Thursday, thanks in large part to a trio of home runs.

After a scoreless first inning, the Cougars scored six runs between the second and fifth innings, off homers from junior infielder Makenna Mitchell, sophomore infielder Madox Mitchael and sophomore designated player Maddie Hartley. 

They added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, with sophomore outfielder Ariel Redmond reaching home plate off a throwing error and Mitchell scoring off a sacrifice fly from freshman infielder Leilani Garcia.

“Just buying into what the coach has been telling us and trusting the process,” said Mitchell, when asked what the key is to having a consistent offense this year.

Despite 10 hits, the Huskies could only muster one run, thanks to an RBI single from senior outfielder Chole Foster, as Houston’s defense was on point throughout the game.

“We might give up a hit, but guess what: we can shut it down without giving any runs up,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a home run.

Hartley went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a run, an RBI and a home run.

Despite giving up 10 hits, sophomore pitcher London Park allowed only one run in six innings and forced seven flyouts and eight groundouts, earning the win in her first start with her new team.

For Houston Christian, junior catcher Heidi Maytum went 3-for-3.

Sophomore pitcher Cara Pitman received the loss for the Huskies. In 3.1 innings, she allowed eight hits, five earned runs, six extra-base hits, and two home runs while striking out only one batter.

Houston clicks on all cylinders for first shutout victory in Game 2

In their first Friday game of the day, the Cougars swept up Houston Christian’s bags and sent it packing with a 7-0 shutout victory.

Houston continued its offensive production, scoring four runs in the first three innings, capping it with a two-run home run deep into left field from senior infielder Kylei Griffin.

The pitching and defense remained on point as well, allowing only two hits, and forcing three ground outs, three flyouts and two popouts.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Cougars scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, with Redmond hitting a sacrifice fly that allowed freshman infielder Ronnie Esparaza to score and a two-run single to center field from Mitchell.

The Huskies attempted to put a run on the board at the top of the seventh when Pitman doubled to center field with sophomore outfielder Jocelyn Briseno starting at first base, but Briseno was tagged trying to reach home plate.

Redmond went 2-for-2, with two runs and two RBIs.

Griffin went 1-for-2, with a run, an RBI and a home run.

Junior pitcher Gigi Solis earned her first win of the season. In seven innings on 84 pitches, she allowed four hits, striking out four batters and forcing 10 flyouts and six groundouts.

For Houston Christian, graduate pitcher Christin Haygood received the loss. She pitched 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits, seven runs (all earned) and a home run. She struck out just two batters and made three wild pitches.

Brown’s pitching prowess locks down Fairfield in Game 3

While the Huskies were dispatched with ease, Fairfield proved to be a more challenging opponent, but Houston came out on top against the Stags, 3-2, in the second game of its Friday doubleheader.

A key catalyst for the victory was sophomore pitcher Neveah Brown, who had one of the standout performances of her college career.

Brown entered in the top of the fourth, replacing Park, with the Cougars down 2-1. In four innings, Brown pitched 52 times, striking out five batters and allowing no hits or runs, earning her first win of the season.

“It’s so fun to hit for these pitchers. It just makes me want to play harder when I see them working just as hard in the circle,” Mitchael said.

Mitchael then scored the winning runs in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double to center field, plus two wild pitches that allowed her to advance from second to third base and then to home.

Fairfield’s junior pitcher Peyton Shields received the loss. In six innings, she gave up four hits and three earned runs while striking out two batters.

Houston reaches career milestone in statement win to close tourney

On the final day of the Houston Tournament, the Cougars thrashed Fairfield 9-1 in five innings to start the season 4-0. The win also marked the 800th win in the program’s history.

For the second time in the Classic, the Cougars hit at least three home runs in a game.

Hartley and Garcia had a pair of two-run home runs to help make it 5-0 in the top of the first, and then another two-run home run from Redmond and a single home run from Mitchael to make it 8-1.

“Just staying in the zone and staying calm,” Redmond said.

Despite the undefeated start to the season, Schoonmaker says there are still some tweaks to be made as the season progresses, particularly on defense.

“Some of our defensive positioning will continue to adjust. We had good plans. We had some opportunities to close games earlier, so just our ability to clean up runners. Small improvement, but every day getting a little bit better.”

Redmond went 2-for-3, with two runs, two RBIs and a home run.

Hartley went 2-for-3 as well, with two runs, an RBI and a home run. 

Senior pitcher Nicole Bodeux earned her first win of the season. In three innings, she allowed only three hits, one run and struck out one batter.

For the Stags, freshman utility player Sarah Bielski and sophomore outfielder Ava Armuth each went 2-for-3.

Senior catcher Delaney Whieldon went 1-for-2 with the lone run scored for Fairfield.

Senior pitcher Alyssa Weinberg earned the loss to fall to 1-1. In one inning of work, she allowed four hits, five earned runs, three extra-base hits and two home runs.

Up next, the Cougars will gear up for the Houston Invitational at Cougar Softball Stadium from Feb. 12-15, beginning the tournament Thursday against Pittsburgh at 6 p.m.