In the first game of a three-game weekend set between the Houston Cougars and Rice Owls, the Cougars won the game prior to the conclusion of the third inning. With Matthew Reckling coming into Friday night's game with a 7-0 record and a microscopic 1.44 ERA, the Owls had to assume that they were in good hands. Unfortunately for them, the Cougars handled Reckling with ease and beat him up for eight earned runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings pitched.
Trailing 8-0 in the bottom of the third, the Owls managed to score three in the bottom half of the frame, but a three run seventh by the Cougars put the game too far out of reach.
Houston pitcher, Austin Pruitt registered the win, holding the Owls to five earned runs on 11 hits in 7.1 innings pitched. Cougars leadoff hitter, Landon Appling was the game's standout star finishing the night 3-for-six at the plate with six RBI and a home run.