Webb and Smith Key Offensive Explosion

Friday, March 13

Phoenix, AZ

8 PM

Rice University

11-8

Grand Canyon

6-12

Rice

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics

3/14/2026 1:33:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Owls complete sweep with 16-5 win on Friday night

By: by Chuck Pool (cpool@rice.edu)

Phoenix- Kutter-Gage Webb was 4x4 and drove in five runs while Paul Smith blasted his sixth home run and scored four runs to lead a 16-hit attack for Rice as the Owls raced past host Grand Canyon 16-5 to complete a sweep of a split doubleheader in at GCU's Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark on Friday Night.

How it Happened: Rice carried the offensive momentum from the thrilling 6-5 comeback win over Saint Mary's earlier in the day, scoring three runs in the top of the first. With one out, Colin Robson and Cole Green each singled and then moved to second and third on an errant pickoff attempt. Smith allowed them to trot home when he drilled a three-run homer to the back of the Owls' bullpen in right. After Grand Canyon scratched out a solo run response in the bottom of the first, the Owls did their first inning one better in the second, scoring four unearned runs. Two runs came in on a bases-loaded error, and Webb's double off the wall in right center brought in two more. The Owls added a solo run in the fourth, four in the fifth, one in the seventh and a final three in the ninth to score their most runs in a game since 2024.

Next Up: Rice will wrap up the weekend series against Grand Canyon on Saturday at 8 p.m. and then wrap up their stay in Phoenix with a rematch with Saint Mary's on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Notes

Rice improved to 11-8 on the season, 5-5 on the road, and 6-1 on Fridays, 4-1 in series openers, 5-1 at Brazell Field, and 3-1 vs. Grand Canyon.
The Owls reached their 11^th win in their 19^th game, the fewest games in 2015 when they reached 11 wins in their 17^th game.
The Owls did not win their 11^th game last season until game #41.
The 16 runs were the most by the Owls since they scored 16 vs. Texas Southern in 2024.
Rice has scored in double digits in each of the four games in the series history with Grand Canyon.
Anthony Diaz improved to 3-1 on the season, working five innings in his second start of the year.
Jax Traeger came back after a scoreless ninth inning in the opener to throw two scoreless innings in the nightcap.
Nolan Roycraft made his 2026 debut, working the final two innings and striking out three.
Webb was 6x7 in the twin bill and drove in six runs, while Boehm was 5x10 on the day with four RBI.
Smith's homer in the first was his only official at-bat in the game as he walked four times and scored four runs.
Three of Smith's six home runs have come in the first inning, and Rice is 3-0 when he homers in the first.

Webb and Ashlock Spark Owls Past UTRGV

Tuesday, March 17

Owls Host UTRGV on St. Patrick’s Day

Monday, March 16

Owls Drop Finale on Sunday

Sunday, March 15

Owls Stay Hot in Phoenix

Sunday, March 15

Next Event

Grand Canyon

W, 13-2

Mar 14 (Sat)

8 PM

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Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Diaz, Anthony (3-1)

L: Ahern, Garrett (1-3)

Rice

Batting:

2B: Anderson, Aric 1 ; Robson, Colin 2 ; Boehm, Garet 2 ; Chilcutt, Masa 1 ; Webb , Kutter-Gage 1

HR: Smith , Paul 1

RBI: Smith , Paul 3 ; Boehm, Garet 3 ; Daigre, Zachary 1 ; Webb , Kutter-Gage 5

SF: Daigre, Zachary 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Bocachica Jr., Hiram 1 ; Anderson, Aric 1 ; Robson, Colin 3 ; Smith , Paul 4 ; Green, Cole 3 ; Ashlock, Mason 1 ; Boehm, Garet 2 ; Davila , Landis 1