Box Score HOUSTON, Texas – The Huskies opened the series against Rice at Reckling Park falling to the Owls, 10-7. HCU tallied a run in each of the first four innings and claimed a 7-6 lead before Rice rallied back with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take game one.

After reaching on a fielder's choice and advancing to second on a single by William Jewell, Trevor Roper gave the Huskies an early lead in the top of the first inning scoring on a groundout by Tyler LaRue. The Owls answered in the bottom of the first inning with three runs to take their first lead of the game at 3-1. HCU narrowed the gap to a run when Katcher Halligan scored on a groundout by Lane Sparks after getting hit-by-pitch to lead off the top of the second inning. Rice increased their lead back to two runs in the bottom of the second inning before the Huskies tallied another run in the top of the third inning when Jewell scored on a Dylan LaRue double to left field. The Owls tied their largest lead of the game posting two runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 6-3 lead. The Huskies minimized the margin back to two runs when Trent Baker scored on a Roper single to center field. HCU reclaimed their first inning lead, tallying three runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 7-6 lead. The Huskies three runs started with a Dylan LaRue singled to lead off the half inning before advancing to second on an error by Rice's shortstop. Dylan LaRue advanced to third when Ty Hodge reached on a fielder's choice then stole second on the next pitch. With two runners in scoring position, Baker singled up the middle scoring Hodge and Dylan LaRue to tie the game at 6-6. Roper drove in the go ahead run with a double to left field scoring Baker and giving the Huskies a, 7-6, advantage. After a shutout sixth inning by both teams, the Owls hit a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning to reclaim a three-run lead and close out game one, 7-10.

The Huskies (7-12) were led by Dylan LaRue going 3-for-5 with a double, and RBI and a run. Roper went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, a run and a walk while Baker went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and runs. Jewell extends his hitting streak to seven games going 2-for-5 with a double and a run. Baylor Baumann (0-1) was tagged with the loss pitching four innings of relief allowing five runs, four earned runs, on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Jonathan Valdez started the game pitching two innings, giving up four runs, three earned runs, on four hits with a pair of walks and strikeouts.

Rice (6-11) were led by Trey Duffield going 2-for-4 with a grand slam, four RBIs, and two runs while Manny Garza went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBIs and runs. Eight Owls tallied hits in game one. Tom Vincent (1-0) earned the win, pitching five innings of relief allowing four runs, one earned run, on seven hits with six strikeouts. Davion Hickson notched his second save of the season pitching one shutout inning of relief with a walk and two strikeouts. Parker Smith pitched three innings to start the game for the Owls allowing three earned runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout.

The three-game series will continue with game two on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Husky Field. The series will conclude with the final game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Reckling Park.

Live stats are available at HCUHuskies.com!