Well, it turns out that Conference USA does in fact have a mercy rule for Saturday games. Nobody in the press box is quite sure what it is, but Rice won the game 12-0 in eight innings, and both coaches looked happy to be done with this one.

The veteran Rice team responded in style tonight, pounding out 15 hits and 12 runs in eight innings. The four Rice juniors (Brian Friday, Joe Savery, Jordan Dodson, and Tyler Henley) that combined to go 2-15 yesterday responded with a combined 12-15 effort today. The rest of the lineup went just 3-22 (including 2-3 from Jared Gayhart), but that won't matter much if the middle of the Owls' lineup produces like it did today.

After an exciting, well-played game last night, tonight's edition was something of a snoozer, but I have high hopes for a good rubber match tomorrow. The winner will take sole possession of first place (in the loss column at least) in Conference USA, bragging rights, and a lot of momentum into the rest of the C-USA season.

I've just heard that the multi-talented Luis Flores--who caught the first two games of the series for the Cougars--will start for Houston tomorrow, his third of the season. Savery will make his typical Sunday start for the Owls.