Going back to the 1996 Southwest Conference Tournament, Rice has won 20 straight conference tournament games. The Western Athletic Conference did not have a tournament from 2000-2005, so this is the first that the Owls have participated in since 1999. The Owls will be hosting a regional for the fifth time in the last seven years, and will likely be one of the national seeds when the bracket is announced tomorrow morning at 11:30 Central time.

Houston finishes the season at 39-20, and will also hear their name called as part of tomorrow's bracket announcement. Rice runs their record to 50-10 on the season, and won 26 of 28 games played against C-USA opponents this season.

The Cougar offense drove Joe Savery from the game in the fourth inning, but recorded only one hit against the Rice bullpen and none after the fourth inning. The bullpen was the story of the game, as Will McDaniel and Cole St. Clair shut out the Cougar bats while four Houston relievers gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. Eight starters contributed to the thirteen hits today, with Josh Rodriguez led the club with three hits. Joe Savery gave the Owls the lead for good with hs fifth inning homer, and garnered the Tournament MVP award.

Four Owls and four Cougars joined Savery on the all-tournament team. The Rice selections were second baseman Greg Buchanan, outfielder Jordan Dodson, starter Bobby Bell and reliever Bryce Cox. Houston's four players were starter/DH Brad Lincoln, starter Luis Flores, outfielder Jake Stewart and second baseman Isa Garcia.

That's all from Reckling Park this week. Thanks to the folks at CSTV for allowing me to contribute this week, and I'll be back for the regionals next weekend!