Rice Falls To Houston Tuesday In Series Finale, 7-3

Tuesday, May 13

Constellation Field

6:30 PM

Rice University

34-17

Houston

40-13

Houston

Rice

Rice Falls To Houston Tuesday In Series Finale, 7-3

5/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 13, 2014

Box Score

Box Score pdf

SUGAR LAND, Texas - The University of Houston baseball team used a big five-run fifth inning to claim a 7-3 win over the Rice Owls in final regular season meeting between the crosstown rivals Tuesday evening at the neutral site of Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.

A Rice fielding miscue quickly led to Houston runs in the top of the first inning. The Cougars had two hits, a walk and used some extended life from the Owl error to take a 2-0 advantage.

The Blue & Gray struck back in the bottom of the third. Chase McDowell, who started on the mound and as the designated hitter, helped his own cause by leading off with a solo home run to right field. His second longball of the season cut the margin in half, 2-1.

Houston sent nine men to the plate in the fifth. Three walks loaded the bases and with one away Connor Hollis singled to center to drive-in two. A total of four free passes, a wild pitch, two hits and an Owl error while attempting to turn a double play made it 7-1 Houston.

Rice came right back with two in the bottom of the frame. Keenan Cook hit a one-out single and Shane Hoelscher followed with a double to put runners on second and third. John Clay Reeves blasted a triple to left-center to score both runners for a 7-3 game.

The Cougars made a move to the bullpen that halted the rally. Jared Robinson pitched 4.2 innings of shutout relief to close out the contest.

Rice is now 34-17 on the season. Houston improved to 40-13 overall. The Cougars won each of the three games in 2014 to claim the annual Silver Glove Trophy.

A total of five Rice players were named to the annual All-Silver Glove Series team. John Clay Reeves, Skyler Ewing, Shane Hoelscher, Matt Ditman and Jon Duplantier earned the honor on a vote of media members. Eight Houston players made the 2014 series team with pitcher Tyler Ford as the Most Outstanding Player.

The Owls next return to C-USA league play with a three-game home series vs. Louisiana Tech on May 15-17 (Thur.-Sun.). First pitch vs. the Bulldogs is slated for 6:30 pm at Reckling Park.