Rice baseball has yet to top Texas State in two matchups this season. Can the Owls get over the hump on Tuesday?
It’s been relatively close, but Texas State has gotten the better of Rice in each of their first two matchups of the 2019 season. The Bobcats won 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel at the Shiner’s College Classic. They followed that up with 5-0 shutout over the Owls at Reckling Park. Rice left 11 men on base in defeat.
With the season series lost, Rice will look to salvage one game and secure another winning streak on the heels of a Sunday victory over UTSA.
When and Where
- Tues., March 26 at 6:00 p.m. CT
- Watch: Texas State All-Access($)
- Listen: Stretch Radio
Pitching matchups
Garrett Gayle has risen in his consistency over the last month. He came in quickly to relieve Kel Bordwine against Texas State in their second matchup and starter last week’s midweek affair against Texas A&M. If Addison Moss is destined for the weekend rotation, Gayle or Bordwine are the best guesses to see significant run.
For Texas State, there’s little reason to doubt Garrett Hermann as the probable starter once again. He threw 5.2 innings against Rice in the second meeting, allowing six hits and no runs. He also started their most recent midweek tilt, a 6-1 loss to Incarnate Word in which he allowed five runs (four earned) in 3.1 innings.
Names to know from the plate
Will Hollis, drove in the game-winning run in the first matchup with Rice this year and currently holds an impressive 1.081 OPS. Not letting him beat you at the plate will be a primary objective for the Owls’ pitching staff.
Jaxon Williams and Jaylen Hubbard have cooled off slightly since their last meeting, but both infielders have maintained a .300+ batting average and rank first and second, respectively, on the team in runs scored.
ON DECK | at Old Dominion (Fri-Sun)
