Jason Caesar Consolacion
Staff Writer
Coming off an 0-3 road trip in Alabama over the weekend, the Houston Cougar baseball team's schedule doesn't get any easier when it faces the nationally-ranked Rice Owls 2 p.m. today at Cameron Field.
The Cougars' (1-5) only win was against the Owls a week ago at Cougar Field. The two teams will resume their Silver Glove Series, a series of five games between the two area universities. Houston won the first meeting 8-7.
"Rice isn't the easiest opponent," UH's Brandon Caraway said, "but we won against them earlier. Hopefully we can do it again.
"(The earlier game against Rice) is our only win this season and that's why we'd like to capitalize on playing the Owls again, but we're not looking at this as an automatic victory."
The Owls (5-3) are coming off a loss to South Alabama on Sunday. Rice led 5-3 before giving up four runs in the seventh inning. Mario Ramos was the losing pitcher.
Bubba Crosby went 1-for-3, including a home run, but Kevin Hodge's two-run homer in the sixth gave the Owls the big lead.
Unfortunately for Rice, the Owls' defense was unable to hold off South Alabama in the seventh as Vinnie Hernandez led his team with 2-for-4 hitting, including the key home run that decided the game.
The Cougars will have to look out for Hodge and Damon Thames, who hit 2-for-3 and 2-for-4 against them, respectively.
"It's not about revenge or rivalry this early in the season," Rice head coach Wayne Graham said. "We'd like to get even with (Houston), but (the rivalry) is not a big deal.
"We just hope to get the win coming off this loss. This time we're at Cameron (Field), so hopefully we can return the favor to Houston."
Game 1: Cougars 8, Owls 7
Game 2: today at Cameron Field (2 p.m.)
Game 3: March 11 at Cameron Field (7 p.m.)
Game 4: March 17 at Cameron Field (7 p.m.)
Game 5: April 15 at Cougar Field (7 p.m.)