Southern Miss fans win the prize for being the most vocal at Reckling Park on opening Wednesday. The supporters numbered around 100, and most were decked out in gold and involved in the game from the player introductions. For the first time today, there was rhytmic clapping as Barry Bowden closed in on a strikeout in the first. And the cheers after he struck out the side in the second was arguably the loudest of the day, even though the Rice and Houston crowds were much larger.

Neither team went with their ace in the opening game, as Southern Miss starter Barry Bowden was 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA entering the game while Tiger starter Philip Utley came into the matchup with a 4-4 record and 6.22 ERA. The Golden Eagle bats came out warm, as Southern Miss has recorded two hits in each of the first three innings. Memphis escaped without allowing a run in the second, as both hits were with two outs and Trey Sutton grounded out to second to end the threat.

The winner will face #1 Rice tomorrow, and Bobby Bell (7-0, 4.21) will take the mound for the Owls.