HOUSTON, Texas –  HCU falls to Rice, 14-12, in an offensive battle at Reckling Park. Rice (7-8) posted a late surge with seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take game two of the three-game series hosted by Rice.  
 
The Huskies (1-12) were led by freshman rightfielder Damian Ruiz who went 5-for-6 with a homerun, six RBIs, a run, and a stolen base. Senior shortstop Austin Roccaforte went 3-for-4 with four runs, an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base, while senior second baseman Diego Davila went 2-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs. Freshman center fielder Trent Baker went 2-for-3 with three runs and two walks.

Senior righthander Chad Ricker (1-1) took the loss, giving up four earned runs, on one hit and three walks in one inning of relief for HCU. Junior righthander Jarek Wells pitched 3.1 shutout innings of relief, recording three strikeouts while allowing one hit.

HCU got things started early in the top of the first inning when Damian Ruiz singled to left center scoring Roccaforte. The Huskies added another run in the top of the third inning when Reed Chumley grounded to the second baseman scoring Davila on a fielder's choice. HCU kept the ball rolling in the top of the fourth inning starting with a groundout to third base by Davila scoring Parker Edwards before Ruiz singles to left field scoring Trent Baker from third base and Roccaforte from second base. The Huskies captured another run in the top of the fifth inning via a Roccaforte double down the left field line scoring Dylan LaRue. HCU retook the lead in the top of the seventh inning starting with a Davila single to the shortstop scoring Trent Baker while tying the game, 7-7, before a three-run homer to left field by Damian Ruiz scoring Roccaforte and Davila to take a, 10-7, lead. The Huskies attempted a ninth inning rally to get back into the game starting with a sac fly to right field by Davila scoring Baker. Raj walked the bases loaded before walking Logan Letney to bring in Austin Roccaforte for the Huskies final run of the game.

Ben Royo went 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs, a run, and a walk, while Connor Walsh went 2-for-3 with a homerun, four RBIs, two runs, and a walk. Drew Holderbach was 0-for-2 with three walks and three runs.

Blake Brogdon (1-1) earned his first win of the season allowing two earned runs, on two hits, with one strikeout through 1.1 innings of relief. Krishna Raj earned his first save of the season pitching .2 innings of relief striking out both batters faced.
 
Rice tied the game in the bottom of the first inning when Christian Salazar recorded an RBI walk to score Drew Holderbach. The Owls added four runs in the bottom of the second inning starting with a Guy Garibay Jr. double to right field scoring Max Johnson before a three-run homerun by Connor Walsh scoring Garibay Jr. and Holderbach to take a, 5-1, lead. Rice added to their lead thanks to a two RBI double down the left field line by Ben Royo in the bottom of the third inning scoring Salazar and Jacob Devenny. After giving up the lead in the top of the seventh inning, the Owls surged ahead scoring seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning starting with a bases loaded groundout to second base by Garibay Jr. scoring Johnson on a fielder's choice. Royo scored on a hit-by-pitch from Walsh before Paul Smith walked scoring Jack Riedel, then Salazar sac flied out to right field scoring Holderbach. Walsh scored on a six pitch walk by Johnson before Royo singled to left center field scoring Smith and Devenny giving Rice their 14th and final run of the game.

The series concludes on Sunday, March 12^th  with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch. Watch the broadcast on CUSA.tv with live stats available at HCUHuskies.com!