‘Nothing to lose’ UH wants to achieve national respect
Cougars back in postseason after 3-year absence
Three words are painted on the steps at Cougar Softball Stadium. “Building A Legacy.” “A (NCAA) super regional and World Series is within shot,” second-year coach Kristin Vesely said. “We have the talent. It’s now can we play well on the national level?”
Back in the postseason after a three-year absence, the Cougars (36-20) take the first step Friday against Louisiana in the opener of the double-elimination Baton Rouge Regional. UH received an atlarge bid after finishing second in the American Athletic Conference.
‘Blank canvas’
The postseason trip is the latest check-off-thebox moment in a quick turnaround for Vesely, a two-time All-American outfielder from powerhouse Oklahoma who spent six seasons as a UH assistant coach before her promotion in 2016.
At the time, Vesely said her first college head coaching job would be a “blank canvas,” and she’s kept her word with a makeover of the program that includes everything from facility improvements to recruiting a specific type of player to fit a more aggressive, throwout-the-book style of play.
Perhaps that’s why the Cougars’ mantra this season is, “Nothing to lose.” UH has wins over ranked opponents Mississippi and Baylor and narrowly lost to top-10 programs Texas A&M and Oregon.
“Personally, as a coach, I have a chip on my shoulder,” Vesely said. “I think the fact people kind of count us out, that we are not a Power Five (school), that to me discredits the amount of work the girls have done and the amount of work the athletic department has done, and the national publicity we’ve had in other sports.”
In just two seasons, Vesely has seen a change. About 70 percent of the roster comprises players Vesely and her staff recruited. In terms of run differential, the Cougars have been in just about every game, to the point she jokingly gives them the nickname “Cardiac Coogs” for their penchant for comeback wins.
“As a coach, that’s so unnerving, but that’s how our team plays,” Vesely said.
Future looks bright
The Cougars are led by righthander Savannah Heebner, the AAC copitcher of the year, all-conference first-team third baseman Sarah Queen and designated hitter Tierrah Williams.
Heebner is tied for fourth nationally with 12 complete-game shutouts. Queen has a team-best 10 home runs and leads the league with a .599 slugging percentage. Williams, a true freshman, has been arguably the team’s hottest hitter down the stretch with a .667 average and 11 RBIs in the last five games.
The Cougars are set for the future with only two seniors in the starting lineup.
“Being able to do this as a team and my senior year is something that’s very exciting,” Crumpton said. “We set our goals high and have shown we can compete with the top programs.”