Rice downs Louisiana Tech

BILOXI, Miss. – In a game that saw multiple lightning delays and postponements, Louisiana Tech fell 6-2 to the Rice Owls Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament.

The game, which was originally supposed to start at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, did not begin until 4:43 p.m. due to multiple weather delays in the prior Florida Atlantic/Florida International contest.

Then, both the Bulldogs and Owls were forced off the field multiple times due to lightning delays.

The game was officially suspended in the top of the seventh inning with Rice owning a 6-1 lead.

The two teams returned to action Thursday and completed the final three innings.

The Bulldogs (38-19) got a solo home run from Taylor Young in the top of the third inning, and tacked on a run in the ninth after Dalton Skelton came home via a Rice error, but were stymied offensively by Rice starter Matt Canterino (7-4), who went five innings, allowed just one run on two hits, and struck out five.

Louisiana Tech starter David Leal (4-4) exited after just three innings, allowing three runs on a season-high four walks.

The southpaw allowed four hits, while striking out four, and missed the benefit of the doubt on several borderline calls. Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs was ejected by home plate umpire David Condon in the top of the second inning.

Tyler Follis allowed three runs (all earned) on five hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

Quinton Logan and Graham Ahlrich provided 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, giving the Bulldogs ample opportunities to make a dent in the Rice lead.

Logan tossed 1 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits in a scoreless outing, while Ahlrich pitched the final three frames, striking out four and allowed just one baserunner (no hits, one walk).

The Owls were led offensively by a three-run homer from shortstop Ford Proctor, while Justin Collins and Chace Sarchet combined to go 6-for-8 at the bottom of the Rice lineup.