HOUSTON, Texas — Lamar University's comeback bid fell short in a 6-5 loss to Rice University on Tuesday night at Reckling Park.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Tab Tracy and Beau Durbin drew back-to-back walks to set up an RBI single to left by Hector Rodriguez.

Rice answered in the bottom of the inning with four runs on two hits. Paul Smith highlighted the frame with a two-run single to left center.

Following a quiet stretch, the Owls added two more runs in the fifth on an RBI double to right center by Garet Boehm and a groundout by Landis Davila.

Trailing by five runs, LU rallied in the seventh, scoring four runs to pull within two.

Durbin reached to lead off the inning on an error by the pitcher while A.J. Taylor was hit by a pitch to set up an RBI double to right center by Rodriguez.

Theo Kummer followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Taylor.

Reese Beheler and Tracy then drew back-to-back two-out walks with the bases loaded to cap the scoring.

RECORDS: Rice (26-20); LU (24-21)

GAME NOTES

• A total of 21 batters were walked between both teams, including 12 by the Rice pitching staff.
• Rodriguez finished 2 for 5 with a single, double, stolen base and two RBIs. He is now on a seven-game on-base streak.
• Durbin extended his hitting streak to 12 games and his on-base streak to 13 games going 1 for 4 with a single and a walk.
• Taylor went 1 for 3 with a single.
• Brayden Evans was walked twice to finish 1 for 3 with a single.
• Tracy was walked three times while he also had an RBI to extend his on-base streak to eight games.
• Beheler was also walked three times while he also had an RBI.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals return home for a three-game series against Southeastern Louisiana this weekend.