Tag: 2026

The Todd Whitting Era Ends at Houston

Todd Whitting, as a player, in 1995 Houston Cougars Media Guide

By Steve Parkhurst

What started to seem inevitable on Saturday afternoon, came to fruition on Sunday, almost 24 hours to the minute of Todd Whitting’s home plate meeting with the umpires and opposing head coach on Saturday before the first pitch of the season finale.

Whitting strode to home plate with both of his sons with him, Matt and Tallon. The two sons were wearing their number nine jerseys, the same number their dad wore.

As was suspected but not confirmed at the time, it was Whitting’s final home plate meeting as the head coach of the Houston Cougars.

The University of Houston is parting ways with Whitting who has just days left on his contract.

Whitting leaves his alma mater after 16 seasons with 498 victories, the last one a 5-3 win over Arizona State on Friday night. Whitting led Houston to five conference championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances, and to one NCAA Super Regional in 2014. The Cougars last played in the NCAA Tournament in 2018.

Todd Whitting player profile in 1994 Houston Cougars Media Guide

Whitting, a 1995 graduate from the university, was also an assistant on the staff of Rayner Noble for some great Houston teams from 1996-2003. Whitting left Houston for TCU but returned to lead the Cougars in 2011.

The next Houston head coach will be just the seventh in program history. Houston head coaching vacancies do not occur often, both Whitting and his predecessor Rayner Noble coached Houston for 16 seasons. Lovette Hill led the Houston program for an incredible 25 years, including both appearances in the College World Series in Omaha in school history in 1953 and 1967.

A national search for the next head baseball coach is already underway.

UPDATE:
Since the initial report of the departure of Todd Whitting, University of Houston Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez has issued a brief statement about the decision not to offer Whitting a new contract:

“After careful evaluation, we have decided to make a change in the leadership of our baseball program,” Nuñez said. “We cannot thank Coach Whitting and his family enough for their efforts and wish him and his family well in their next endeavors.”

. . .

Houston Tops Arizona State to Even Series Ahead of Season Finale

Houston faced Arizona State Friday at Schroeder Park

By Steve Parkhurst

Houston evened the weekend series with Arizona State on Friday night winning 5-3 at Schroeder Park.

Back-to-back home runs opened the game as Arizona State took a quick and early 2-0 lead.

Blake Fields walked to lead off the bottom of the third inning . . . The Arizona State staff, likely noticing the drop in velocity by ace Cole Carlon, went to the mound and after a short conference the left-handed was removed from the game and a replacement was allowed time to get ready.

With one out, Tyler Cox tripled home Fields and Cox scored moments later on an infield single by Tre Broussard . . . After Broussard was replaced by pinch-runner Irvin Weems, Weems stole second base, and Cade Climie doubled to the right field corner to bring Weems across the plate to tie the game at three.

Houston starter Paul Schmitz gave up two early solo home runs, and then another solo home run in the third inning, but he gave his team four innings and struck out five batters, including striking out the side in the third inning.

After the seventh inning stretch, with the game still tied, Fields led off by sending a baseball high into the night toward Elgin over the wall in left-center field, it was his third home run of the season and it gave the Cougars their first lead of the night, 4-3.

An inning later, Climie led off by legging out a single to third base . . . With one out, Carsten Sabathia III walked before Antonelli Savattere singled into center field to load the bases . . . Riley Jackson was hit by a pitch to force Climie across the plate and Houston took the 5-3 lead.

Jackson, on a night when he had little luck at the plate (hit-by-pitch RBI aside), showed up on defense tracking down some tough ground balls at first base, one he tossed to Harrison Boushele for an out and the other he took himself to record the final out of the eighth inning.

Jackson LaLima made an incredible play to record the final out of the game at first base . . . LaLima, a late-inning substitution at third base fielded a bouncing ball as he moved toward the pitcher’s mound, he fielded the ball cleanly and whipped a throw in one motion to first base where Jackson stretched and scooped the ball, the play was close but the out call was upheld on review.

Boushele was superb in relief of Schmitz, pitching the final five innings in nearly perfect fashion . . . Boushele allowed just two hits and no runs . . . Boushele worked around a defensive error in the seventh inning and induced an inning-ending double play to face the minimum . . . Boushele also faced the minimum in top of the ninth inning to close out the 5-3 victory.

Houston and Arizona State will close out the regular season on Saturday afternoon at Schroeder Park . . . First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm.

. . .

Houston Sweeps 2026 Silver Glove Series, Run-Rules Rice 14-3

Houston faced Rice for the third time this season on Tuesday.

By Steve Parkhurst

It only took seven innings Tuesday night for Houston to complete a sweep of the Silver Glove Series over Rice with a 14-3 run-rule victory at Schroeder Park.

A nine run first inning set the tone for Houston as they sent 14 batters to the plate . . . The Cougars took advantage of five walks and a hit by pitch, and added five base hits to create the early separation from the Owls . . . And Rice went to the bullpen twice in the first inning.

The three Rice runs were all unearned, aided by two defensive errors . . . In total, the Houston staff did not allow an earned run in the seven innings the game lasted.

Houston has a day off before the face Big 12 opponent Arizona State at Schroeder Park with the series starting Thursday to close out the regular season schedule . . . First pitch Thursday is set for 6:30pm.

. . .

Cougars Drop Final Game in Tucson, Settle for Series Win

By Steve Parkhurst

Houston returns home with a Big 12 series win, but the Cougars were denied a sweep on Sunday in Tucson as Arizona used an eighth inning rally to win 6-5.

Houston was trailing 4-0 when Arizona went to the bullpen to open the sixth inning . . . The Cougars put the first five hitters of the frame on base, starting with Tyler Cox who was walked before Tre Broussard (2-for-4) singled to reach base . . . Cade Climie was walked to load the bases for Antonelli Savattere who then singled into shallow right-center field to get Houston its first run of the game.

Xavier Perez was walked to force in Broussard and the deficit was cut in half . . . Carsten Sabathia III flew out to center field to score Climie on the sacrifice fly ball and the Cougars trailed by just a run.

Blake Fields delivered a two out single to clear the bases and Houston took a 5-4 lead as the Cougars batted around in the frame.

The Wildcats scored a run in the seventh inning to tie the game and a run in the eighth inning to take the lead.

Houston returns home and will welcome Rice to Schroeder Park on Tuesday evening . . . The sole midweek game will be game three of the 2026 Silver Glove Series, which the Cougars have already claimed by virtue of winning the first two games this season . . . First pitch on Tuesday is set for 6:30pm.

. . .

Houston Outlasts Arizona in 13 Innings Saturday Night

By Steve Parkhurst

It took 13 innings, but Houston was able to claim its second Big 12 series win of the season with a 7-5 victory over Arizona in Tucson on Friday night.

Riley Jackson broke the scoreless tie when he led off the top of the second inning with a one-handed moonshot over the left field wall, his ninth home run of the season, giving Houston a 1-0 lead.

The score remained there until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Wildcats plated four runs, most by virtue of some small ball, but capped by a two-run home run.

Tyler Cox (4-for-6) reached first base on a bunt single to lead off the top of the seventh inning . . . Tre Broussard (4-for-7) followed with a single into shallow left field . . . Cade Climie then tied the game at four with a three-run drive to left-center field that travelled 413 feet, it was his 10th home run of the season.

Richie Roman was superb with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out four Arizona batters before giving way to left-handed Ryne Rodriguez who pitched the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed just one run.

The game remained tied until the 12th inning when the Cougars finally broke through once again . . . Broussard singled to left field with one out to reach base before he stole second base . . . Climie then pounded a ball to the wall in left-center field, easily scoring Broussard for the 5-4 lead on Climie’s fourth RBI of the game on his third base hit of the night.

But Arizona tied the game once again in the bottom of the 12th inning.

In the top of the 13th inning, Jackson LaLima blooped a single into center field to put Houston in front once again . . . Leading by one run, Broussard hit a sacrifice fly and the RBI extended the Cougar advantage to 7-5.

Houston and Arizona will conclude the weekend series on Sunday in Tucson with a first pitch scheduled for 1pm CT.

. . .

Houston Opens Trip to Arizona with 7-4 Win

By Steve Parkhurst

Behind the second consecutive strong start by Kendall Hoffman, Houston took game one of the weekend opener 7-4 against Arizona Friday night in Tucson.

With one out in the top of the first inning after Tre Broussard singled and stole second base, Xavier Perez dropped a single into right field with two outs to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead . . . The single for Broussard extended his current hitting streak to eight games.

Arizona tied the game in the bottom of the first inning, but Houston responded in the top of the second inning . . . With two outs, and Riley Jackson at second base after a leadoff double, a potential inning-ending pop up off the bat of Jackson LaLima was dropped by the Wildcats shortstop and Jackson scored from second on the error for a 2-1 Houston lead.

Leading 4-2 in the top of the sixth inning, the Cougars offense went about padding the lead behind Hoffman . . . Jackson LaLima singled home two runs chasing Arizona starter Owen Kramkowski . . . Tyler Cox (3-for-5) greeted the new pitcher with a two RBI double for a 7-2 advantage.

The three spot in the sixth inning proved to be the deciding margin of victory over Arizona in the opener.

After the third inning, Hoffman did not allow a hit until the eighth inning, with no Wildcat batters reaching base in three of those four innings.

The final line for Hoffman does not do justice to the quality of his outing on Friday night . . . Hoffman allowed just two runs through seven innings and took the mound for the eighth inning when three straight hits led to two more Arizona runs before Alex Solis was summoned from the bullpen to record the first out and then Ryne Rodriguez followed to get the final two outs.

A week ago, Hoffman pitched 8 1/3 innings against Cincinnati and was given no run support in the tough luck loss.

Houston and Arizona will resume the weekend series on Saturday evening with a first pitch scheduled for 8pm . . . Paul Schmitz will be on the mound for the Cougars look to win the road series.

. . .

Houston Tops McNeese 4-2, Pitching Strikes Out 14

Houston preps for McNeese ahead of Wednesday’s midweek.

By Steve Parkhurst

Houston topped McNeese 4-2 Wednesday night at Schroeder Park to conclude back-to-back home-and-away midweek games.

Tre Broussard, batting in the two spot on Wednesday after having hit leadoff for a few games, singled into center field with one out and then stole second base moments later . . . With Broussard moving toward third base on a steal attempt, Cade Climie punched a single through the hole at third base into left field and Broussard scored easily for a 1-0 lead.

Still leading by a run in the bottom of the third inning, Jackson LaLima sent a no-doubter 414 feet over the left field wall with one out for a 2-0 lead.

Lefty Chris Scinta started for the Cougars and despite allowing three singles in the first inning, yielded nothing to the Cowboys offense in one inning of work . . . Freshman Connor Udland took the mound to start the second inning and retired the next nine straight batters he faced, a perfect three innings pitched, and he struck out four McNeese batters.

Harrison Boushele took the mound to start the fifth inning and proceeded to toss four scoreless innings, two of them perfect, and allowing just one base hit in each of the other two innings.

Climie and Xavier Perez opened the bottom of the sixth inning with singles and a sacrifice bunt by Riley Jackson moved both into scoring position . . . Carsten Sabathia III grounded out and scored Climie to give the Cougars a three run advantage.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Tyler Cox singled before Broussard (3-for-4) singled for his third hit of the night . . . Climie (4-for-4) drove in Cox with a single into left field and Houston led 4-0.

A two out two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning closed the margin by half, but Richie Roman was able to strike out the final McNeese hitter to close out the 4-2 victory.

Houston pitchers combined to strikeout 14 McNeese batters.

Houston will welcome Cincinnati to Schroeder Park for a Big 12 weekend series on Friday night . . . Action is scheduled to get underway at 6:30pm, with weather a possible factor in the series this weekend.

. . .

Cougars Undone by the Horned Frogs in Run-Rule Finale

By Steve Parkhurst

Houston was run-ruled 14-2 in seven innings by TCU on Sunday to put an end to a dreary weekend at Lupton Stadium in Ft. Worth.

The Cougars were held scoreless until the game was all but over, plating two runs in the top of the seventh inning, one on a passed ball and the other on a sacrifice fly ball off the bat of Justin Cherrington in a pinch-hitting appearance.

The Houston offense did not have a strikeout until the fifth inning as they were at the plate swinging and putting the ball in okay, often right at defender . . . Cougar batters registered eight fly ball outs before the first strikeout was recorded.

The Houston offense was held to just five hits in the ballgame as a trio of TCU pitchers controlled the game.

Diego Luzardo (one inning), Cameron Edmonds (2/3 inning), and Alex Solis (1/3 inning) were the only three Houston pitchers not to allow a run.

The Cougars will next be in action on Tuesday afternoon in Nacogdoches where they will face Stephen F. Austin at 4pm before returning to Schroeder Park to play host to McNeese on Wednesday night.

. . .

Cougars Lose Opener to TCU; Climie Homers Twice

By Steve Parkhurst

Houston was overpowered by TCU 8-3 at Lupton Stadium on Friday night to open the Big 12 weekend series.

The Cougar offense had few answers for the pitching staff of the Horned Frogs, with Cade Climie being the exception.

Climie hit two home runs, one to left-center field, one to right-center field, both came on 1-0 pitches, and neither came with runners on base, to help keep up with the output of the TCU offense.

Caleb Kimble provided an inning of scoreless work in relief of starter Kendall Hoffman who pitched six complete innings . . . Diego Luzardo, making just his third appearance of the season, entered the game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and retired the only batter he faced.

With the Cougars trailing 8-2 in the top of the ninth inning, Antonelli Savattere singled home a run but that was all Houston could score in the game.

The Cougars and the Horned Frogs will play the middle game of the series Saturday afternoon at Lupton Stadium . . . Houston will send Paul Schmitz to the mound with a first pitch is set for 2pm.

. . .

Houston Edged Out by BYU 3-2 in Series Opener

Houston hosts BYU this weekend at Schroeder Park

By Steve Parkhurst

Houston was edged out by BYU 3-2 Thursday night at Schroeder Park to open the Big 12 weekend series between the two sets of Cougars.

Houston managed only three hits in the ballgame, two of them went for home runs, while the pitching was pretty solid once again.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Xavier Perez tied the game with a two-out solo home run over the left field wall.

BYU responded immediately, scoring twice in the top of the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead.

Once again, Connor Udland made the Friday night start for Houston . . . Udland departed after two innings having allowed one run, he had seen the BYU order one time through.

Caden Cooper followed Udland on the mound and he allowed two runs in what was an otherwise fine outing.

Harrison Boushele dazzled for another 2 2/3 scoreless innings when he needed to keep the score where it was.

Cade Climie hit a high, arching shot over the left field wall, for a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning.

On most nights in Big 12 play, allowing only three runs to the opposition is enough to get the job done, but that was not the case on Thursday night.

Houston and BYU will continue their weekend series on Friday, with game two at Schroeder Park set to get underway at 6:35pm . . . Kendall Hoffman will be on the mound for Houston as they look to even the series.

. . .