Rice bounces back with shutout

From electronic and staff reports
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HOUSTON  — Rice responded to Friday's series-opening loss to East Carolina with strong pitching and solid hitting in an 8-0 Conference USA win over the Pirates on Saturday afternoon at Reckling Park.

Blake Fox and Trevor Teykl combined for the shutout as the 14th-ranked Owls improved to 22-11 overall, 10-4 in the league.

Fox hit a chopper back to the pitcher for the final out on Friday night but the left-hander was in control on the mound as the Owls evened the series.

Fox struck out a career-high eight batters while scattering seven hits and walking one. Teykl came on for the last inning and two-thirds. He didn't allow a hit and struck out three.

Rice took a 1-0 lead in the first as hits by Shane Hoelscher, Skyler Ewing and John Clay Reeves preceded a sacrifice fly by Kirby Taylor.

Owls designated hitter Connor Teykl had a two-run single in a four-run third that marked the end of the day for ECU southpaw Reid Love.

Brett Mabry came on and pitched the final five and one-third innings for the Pirates.

Rice added three unearned runs in the eighth for the final margin.

Drew Reynolds led ECU's seven-hit attack with a 3-for-4 effort. Luke Lowery had a double for the Pirates. Zach Houchins, Ian Townsend and Hunter Allen also had hits in the setback.

Keenan Cook and Reeves each had three hits for the Owls. Hoelscher and Connor Teykl drove in a pair of runs apiece.

Rice had 14 hits on the day.

ECU dropped to 18-13 on the season and 7-4 in conference play.

The deciding third game of the series has been moved up to an 11:30 a.m. start today due to weather considerations.

Right-hander David Lucroy (1-3, 5.48 earned run average) of the Pirates is expected to oppose righty Chase McDowell (3-2, 2.45) in the rubber match.

PAGE UPDATED 04/06/14 05:22 AM.

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