Rice denies Tulane weekend sweep

HOUSTON – The Rice baseball team put up four runs in the first five innings and made them stand up Sunday afternoon as it claimed a 4-2 victory over Tulane at Reckling Park.

Tulane fell to 15-9 overall and Rice improved to 9-15. The Owls’ victory averted a sweep following Green Wave victories on Friday (14-7 in 11 innings) and Saturday (10-1). It was the first time Tulane had captured a regular season conference series over the Owls.

Rice reliever Ryland Urbanczyk (1-3) got the win, tossing three and a third innings and allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Davion Hickson nailed down his fourth save, striking out the side in the ninth.

In total, the Owls’ pitching staff struck out 12 batters and walked none.

Tulane starter Will Clements (1-2) took the defeat, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Green Wave relievers Henry Shuffler and Billy Price did a nice job, keeping the Owls off the board over the final three and two-thirds innings.

Tulane’s two runs came courtesy of an RBI double by second baseman Marcus Cline in the sixth and a run-scoring single by designated hitter Tracey Mitchem in the seventh. Four of the team’s five hits were doubles (Cline, catcher Colin Tuft, center fielder Teo Banks and center fielder Brock Slaton).

Rice designated hitter Nathan Becker drove in two runs for the home team and shortstop Jake Riedel scored twice.

The Green Wave will be back in action Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are currently 15-9 after entering the week ranked 25th in the latest Baseball America poll.

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