Rice advances to championship round of NCAA Houston Regional after epic 20-inning win

Rice Owls baseball has advanced to Monday’s championship round of the NCAA Houston Regional but only after a rollercoaster weekend: a heartbreaking ninth-inning loss Friday to Louisiana Lafayette, heavy rains Saturday that delayed Rice’s win over Houston Baptist until Sunday midday and then an epic 20-inning elimination game against crosstown rivals University of Houston Cougars Sunday night. The Rice-UH game began at 8 p.m. Sunday, and Rice recorded the final out and the 3-2 victory shortly after 2 a.m. Monday. The Owls, who have the one loss in the double-elimination format, will have to beat Louisiana Lafayette twice Monday to advance to an NCAA Super Regional. Louisiana-Lafayette won both of its weekend games against Houston Baptist and UH.

Rice and Louisiana Lafayette began play at 1 p.m. Monday at Cougar Field; at press time, Louisiana Lafayette was leading 4-2. If Rice wins, the teams will meet again Monday night at 6 p.m.

UPDATE: Rice’s baseball season came to an end with a 5-2 loss to Louisiana Lafayette Monday afternoon. The Owls finish the year with a 37-22 overall record and a 20th-straight conference championship resting on the mantle. Read more at http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/060115aad.html.

Weekend game photos courtesy Tommy LaVergne/Rice University