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Rice Athletics: Top 10 Moments from 2021

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2021 was filled with highs and lows for Rice Athletics. The Roost picked out 10 moments that stood out the most along the way.

10. Rice Basketball goes on C-USA Tournament run

For the first time since 2007, Rice basketball won multiple games in the Conference USA Tournament. The Owls beat Southern Miss and knocked off Marshall before falling to UAB. After sneaking into the tournament as the sixth seed in the West, Rice put their best foot forward when it counted the most, building momentum as the team heads into the 2021-2022 season.

9. Owls shine at Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics

The realm of collegiate athletics wasn’t the only area where Rice impressed. The Owls also faired well on one of the world’s greatest stages: the Olympics. Ariana Ince competed in the Tokyo Olympics in the javelin throw. Soon after, Ahalya Lettenberger took home a silver medal in the Paralympic Games.

8. Rice Women’s basketball wins WNIT

It feels like forever ago at this point, but Rice Women’s Basketball marched through the WNIT in March, thumping Ole Miss to win the program’s first-ever WNIT Championship. The roster has changed dramatically since then, but the accomplishments of Tina Langley, Nancy Mulkey and Co. will not be forgotten.

7. Rice Football signs another Top 5 recruiting class

Recruiting has been one of the brightest spots for Rice football under head coach Mike Bloomgren and the most recent 2022 recruiting class appears to be no exception. The Owls took home a Top 5 class in Conference USA and the No. 2 rated class in program history. Each of the last three classes currently ranks in the Top 5 highest-rated classes in school history. More recruiting notes here.

6. Grace Forbes wins C-USA Female Track, XC Athlete of the Year

While track and field might not draw the same spotlight as other collegiate sports, it’s hard not to be transfixed by the level of dominance Grace Forbes has displayed in her young Rice career. Forbes was named C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Year and C-USA Cross Country Athlete of the Year. From start to end, she was the best of the best.

5. Rice baseball hires Jose Cruz Jr. as next head coach

Rice elected to make a change at the top of the baseball program following the 2021 season and athletic director Joe Karlgaard made a splash with the hiring of former Rice great Jose Cruz Jr. Cruz has already made notable additions on the transfer front and increased the visibility of the program within the city and on social media. The 2022 season can’t come soon enough.

4. Rice Soccer upsets WVU in NCAA Tournament

Making the NCAA Tournament is an accomplishment. Winning a game is another. Rice soccer went beyond both bars in their spring season, knocking off 5-seed West Virginia in route to the first Sweet 16 appearance by a Conference USA school since 2011 and tying the program record for wins a season with 14.

3. Rice Volleyball makes NCAA Tournament, twice!

Rice arrived in Omaha in mid-April but had their first NCAA Tournament appearance of the year ended by COVID-19 cases within the program. Undeterred, they bounced back and earned another NCAA bid in their traditional fall season. Finally given the opportunity to compete, Rice beat San Diego in the first round before falling to Texas in the second round.

2. Rice football beats UAB

For the second consecutive season, Rice football won a game as a three-touchdown underdog on the road. In 2020, Marshall was the victim a dominant defensive performance by the Owls. This time around, UAB was caught in the crosshairs of what was indisputably the most complete performance by all phases in the 2021 season with team-favorite Wiley Green at the helm.

1. Rice Athletics accepts AAC invite

The giant of conference realignment awoke during the summer when Texas and Oklahoma announced moves to the SEC. That decision sent ripple effects across college athletics all the way to Houston, Tx where Rice Athletics was invited to join the American Athletic Conference. The Owls don’t have a date when the move becomes official yet, but the announcement itself is a massive moment in Rice Athletics history.

Honorable Mentions…

How about you? Which of these moments from Rice Athletics did you enjoy the most? Cutting this down to 10 was challenging. Which Rice Athletics events should be added to the list?

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Rice Baseball: 2021 MLB Owls post regular season update

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The 2021 MLB regular season is in the books and Rice baseball alums played big roles throughout the year. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls this year.

Glen Otto – Texas Rangers

Originally a fifth-round draft pick by the Yankees in 2017, Otto worked his way through the Yankees organization. He rose from rookie ball to AAA in the span of four MiLB seasons before he was traded to the Rangers in a deadline deal this season.

Following the trade, Otto made his major league debut on August 27 against the Astros. He threw five scoreless innings in that game, striking out seven and allowing just two hits. That would be his best outing of the season.

Otto ends his first major league season with a 9.26 ERA and a 1.714 WHIP. He struck out 28 batters across 23.1 innings, averaging 10.8 punchouts per nine innings.

Brock Holt – Texas Rangers

Holt filled the utility role with the Red Sox for seven seasons before brief stints with the Brewers and Nationals in 2020. In his lone season with the Rangers, he played exclusively at third base, appearing in 76 games with 57 starts at the hot corner.

At the plate, Holt hit .209 on the season with 23 RBI and 16 extra base hits. After averaging .270 during his Red Sox tenure, Holt hasn’t found the same level of consistency elsewhere, scattering strong months here and there like August where he slashed .259/.232/.333 with a .656 OPS, some of his best marks of the season.

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

Rendon appeared in 58 games for the Angels in 2021 before he was ruled out for the remainder of the season following hip surgery. This was the fewest games he played in any full 162-game season in his major league career.

Before his season came to an end, Rendon had accumulated 34 RBI in those 58 games. He had a .240 batting average and a .712 OPS, coming on and off the injured list multiple times throughout the year before eventually being shut down.

Jon Duplantier – Arizona Diamondbacks

Duplantier’s 2021 season was derailed by injury. He suffered a lat strain in July while pitching with the Diamondbacks’ AAA affiliate and was released, quickly resigning with the club on a minor league deal.

He appeared in four major league games with the club, finishing the year with an 0-3 record and a 13.15 ERA. He struck out 12 batters, allowed 19 hits in four starts.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey wrapped up the 2021 season with a 3-3 record and a 3.18 ERA. His 64 appearances were a career high, as were his three saves. He threw 62.1 innings, the most he’s thrown in a single season since 2017.

Primarily seeing action as a setup man and middle reliever, Duffey was effective, despite seeing his walk rates tick upward and his strikeout numbers trend the wrong way. 2021 wasn’t his best season, but he still managed a 134 ERA+ (a weighted ERA that accounts for all other pitchers and ballparks).

Lucas Luetge – New York Yankees

Luetge’s reemergence in the big leagues was a tremendous success. He accounted for 1.5 WAR (wins above replacement) of his career 1.6 WAR this season alone, making one start and appearing in 56 games as a reliever. He finished with a 2.74 ERA and 78 strikeouts compared to just 15 walks.

It was a banner year across the board for Luetge, who smashed most of his marks from his early days in Seattle, proving to be a reliable middle-relief option for the Yankees on their way to the postseason.

The Yankees play the Red Sox in the Wildcard Game on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7:08 PM CT.

J.T. Chargois – Tampa Bay Rays

Chargois had a bump 2019 season with the Dodgers and ended up spending the 2020 season playing overseas in Japan. That brief trip out of the states proved to be just what he needed. Chargois returned to the MLB triumphantly, posting career bests across two separate organizations, spending the first half of the season with the Mariners before being traded to the Rays.

Across both organizations, Chargois claimed a 2.52 ERA (which fell to 1.90 with the Rays) and struck out 53 battlers in 53.2 innings. His strikeouts per inning numbers were down, but his effectiveness rose. Chargois’ 1.081 WHIP was the lowest of his career.

The Rays await the winner of Tuesd;says wildcard matchup between the Yankees and Boston. Game 1 of the ALDS will be played on Thursday.

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Rice Baseball: 2021 MLB Owls update – Sep 25

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The 2021 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls from this week.

Glen Otto – Texas Rangers

Otto made what could be his final start of the season on Thursday against the Orioles. He pitched five innings, striking out seven and allowing two runs. The Rangers offered him no support on offense, leaving Otto with his third loss of the season despite a relatively strong outing.

Through September 25, Otto has a 8.02 ERA with a 1.547 WHIP. He’s averaging 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

Brock Holt – Texas Rangers

Holt played sparingly for the Rangers this week, appearing in two games where we went a combined 1-for-7 with and RBI.

Through September 25, Holt is hitting .206 with 15 extra-base hits, 22 walks and 45 strikeouts. His OPS is .575 and he’s collected 20 RBI.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey has been locked-in throughout the month of September, throwing a scoreless frame in each of his eight single-inning outings this month. That included three spotless innings this week in which he struck out five batters, allowing no walks and no hits along the way.

Through September 25, Duffey has a 3.39 ERA with a 1.269 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Lucas Luetge – New York Yankees

Luetge made two appearances this week, allowing two hits and one run last Sunday in a blowout loss to the Indians. He rebounded with a quick, one-batter-one-out performance on Saturday night, inducing an inning-ending line out from Kyle Shwarber that helped preserved what would turn into a thrilling Yankees win.

Through September 25, Luetge has a 2.73 ERA with a 1.125 WHIP. He’s averaging 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

J.T. Chargois – Tampa Bay Rays

Chargois earned his sixth win of the season, and his fifth with the Rays on Wednesday. He worked a scoreless fourth inning against the Blue Jays, striking out two. He also picked up his 14th hold of the year on Monday, also against the Blue Jays.

Through September 25, Chargois has a 2.44 ERA with a 1.026 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

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Rice Baseball: 2021 MLB Owls update – Sep 18

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The 2021 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls from this week.

Glen Otto – Texas Rangers

Otto looked sharp in the first two outings of his major league career. The latter pair have been more challenging for the young hurler. On Thursday night the Astros torched him for seven runs in 3.1 innings, handing him his second loss in as many starts.

Through September 18, Otto has a 9.37 ERA with a 1.653 WHIP. He’s averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

Brock Holt – Texas Rangers

Holt made his return to the lineup this week after almost a month on the injured list. He tripled in his first game back against the Astros on Wednesday and added a single in the following game.

Through September 18, Holt is hitting .207 with 15 extra-base hits, 22 walks and 44 strikeouts. His OPS is .582 and he’s collected 19 RBI.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey appeared in three games this week, working scoreless innings in the bookend performances and getting roughed up for three runs in a two-inning outing against the Yankees in between. He finished with five strikeouts and one hit allowed in three games.

Through September 18, Duffey has a 3.58 ERA with a 1.337 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

Lucas Luetge – New York Yankees

Luetge was used once this week, throwing a scoreless ninth inning in a blowout win for the Yankees over the Indians. He had one strikeout and allowed no hits.

Through September 18, Luetge has a 2.79 ERA with a 1.123 WHIP. He’s averaging 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

J.T. Chargois – Tampa Bay Rays

Chargois was the most heavily utilized former Rice baseball alum this week, making four relief appearances. He earned one hold, striking out six of the 14 batters he faced while allowing just one run. Since being acquired by the Rays at the trade deadline, Chargois owns a 1.80 ERA.

Through September 18, Chargois has a 2.52 ERA with a 1.020 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

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Rice Baseball: 2021 MLB Owls update – Sep 11

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The 2021 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls from this week.

Glen Otto – Texas Rangers

Otto was handed his first big league loss this week, allowing eight runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings against the Oakland A’s. The tough outing inflated his ERA from below 2.00 to 6.92. He struck out five.

Through September 11, Otto has a 6.92 ERA with a 1.231 WHIP. He’s averaging 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

Brock Holt – Texas Rangers

Holt is scheduled to begin a rehab stint at AAA Round Rock on Sunday. He’s been on the COVID-19/Injured List since August 23.

Through September 11, Holt is hitting .208 with 14 extra-base hits, 22 walks and 40 strikeouts. His OPS is .580 and he’s collected 19 RBI.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

This was one of Duffey’s busiest weeks of the 2021 season. He appeared in four games, recording one save, one hold and a win. He allowed just one hit over 4.0 innings pitched with four strikeouts, allowing no walks and no runs.

Through September 11, Duffey has a 3.27 ERA with a 1.357 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Lucas Luetge – New York Yankees

Luetge appeared in three games this week, working across multiple innings on two separate occasions. He allowed three hits, struck out three batters and walked three, but was charged with just one run in 3.2 innings of work.

Through September 11, Luetge has a 2.84 ERA with a 1.140 WHIP. He’s averaging 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

J.T. Chargois – Tampa Bay Rays

Chargois also saw three appearances this week, but struggled in his latter two outings. He was charged with a blown save against the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing a go-ahead home run to Hunter Renfroe.

Through September 11, Chargois has a 2.54 ERA with a 1.065 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

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