The SHSU Baseball Team traveled to Reckling Park Tuesday night to face off against the Rice Owls, a team ranked No. 2 in the nation according to the USA Today/ESPN Pre-Season Poll.
The Bearkats (4-3) held the Owls (7-2) to just eight hits and nine runs, yet stranded nine runners on base and came away with the 9-3 loss to the 2003 National Champions.
The Bearkats went through four pitchers and struck out seven batters as the Owls prevailed, despite playing one of their sloppiest games of the season.
Starting pitcher Casey Springer (1-1) took the loss, throwing three innings while allowing four hits and four runs. Springer was replaced on the mound with junior Jesse Marshall, who pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed three runs to score while striking out four Rice batters.
Sam Houston senior right fielder Dustin Martin went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and a pair of singles. The Bearkats were down 4-0 before bringing in two unearned runs in the fourth inning.
SHSU will take on the Broncs of Texas-Pan American in a three game series at home starting tomorrow at 7 p.m. The Bearkats (4-3) are currently in second place behind Northwestern St. (5-3).