Mark Mayorga
Staff Writer
The Houston Cougar baseball team (21-19) is coming off this weekend's dominating three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Bearcats to host the No. 13 Rice Owls (31-13) in Game 5 of the Silver Glove Series 7 p.m. today at Cougar Field.
This marks the 95th meeting between the two schools, with the Cougars holding the overall edge 52-42.
However, the Owls have won the last three meetings between the two to capture the Silver Glove Trophy.
"We're going to take on a Rice team that is ranked again," senior pitcher Jon McDonald said. "They've already won the Silver Glove, but beating them can give us momentum going into UAB."
The Cougar pitching staff, who have posted 27 consecutive innings of shutout baseball, will have to contend with the Owls' explosive offense. Rice's offense was big for them this past weekend, averaging 22.7 runs and 21 hits in its weekend series against New Mexico.
Leading the way for the Owls are WAC Player of the Week Bubba Crosby and Damon Thames. Crosby is coming off a week in which he hit eight home runs and extended his hit streak to 11 games.
The Cougars will be sending freshman Kris Wilken to the mound. Wilken, who is 1-1 and has an ERA of 14.25 in 10 appearances, gets the opportunity to tame the Rice, which that has scored 68 runs in its last three games.
"We all know they're a good team that hits the ball really well," outfielder Mike Medrano said. "We're gonna have to be smart and have to get good pitching."
The Cougars, who have had their difficulties with nationally ranked opponents (4-10), have been shooting themselves in the foot by giving their opposition extra outs and opportunities to take the game away from them.
"We have set goals as a team for the remainder of the season," McDonald said. "From here on out our goal is to go 11-2."
The Cougars will be returning to conference action with a three-game series against UAB in Birmingham. This series will be important for the Cougars, as they are tied for second place with UAB and are one game behind Tulane for first.
Sunday: Cougars 5, Cincinnati 0
On deck: Cougars (21-19) vs. No. 13 Rice Owls - 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cougar Field
*All home games are free
to UH students