No. 27 Rice rips Texas State, 16-2

Owls head to Huntington, WV for a series with Marshall this weekend

After a nine-day layoff, Rice returned to action on Tuesday afternoon with a dominant 16-2 victory over in-state foe Texas State at Reckling Park.

Texas State (28-15) threw eight different pitchers at the Owls, with no one going more than two innings.

However, it would make little difference.

The 27th ranked Owls (27-16, 11-4) scored early and often against the Bobcats. Wayne Graham’s club plated runs in every inning but the third and led 12-0 before Texas State pushed anything across. Rice totaled 17 hits in the contest and six players finished with multi-hit games.

Shortstop Rick Hague led the way at the plate. Hague went 5-of-6 with three runs batted in. Among those hits were a pair of doubles and Hague’s eighth home run of the season. Jeremy Rathjen and Michael Ratterree also homered and were among those with multi-hit games.

Rice starter Jared Rogers worked five scoreless innings to notch his fifth victory. Abe Gonzales, Matthew Reckling and Chase McDowell saw relief action.

Jason Martinson and Kyle Kubitza each had two hits for Texas State.

The first-place Owls will travel to Huntington, WV for a three-game set with Marshall this weekend. The Herd is 10-8 in CUSA play and tied for second with Memphis.