|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Rice Thresher
Phone:
|
by Jose Luis Cubria thresher editorial staff Remember all that talk about how a brand new baseball facility would greatly strengthen Rice's home schedule? Look no further than the 2001 slate for the Reckling Park effect. Head coach Wayne Graham announced Rice's schedule for the upcoming season earlier this month, and it should easily be the toughest the Owls have ever played. But while the home schedule will be markedly stronger thanks to the draw of Reckling Park, the schedule's highlight will take place in downtown Houston. Rice kicks off the 2001 season Feb. 2-4 with a tournament at Enron Field that will feature six former members of the Southwest Conference. The Enron Field Classic will have Rice, the University of Houston and Texas Christian University each playing three games against the University of Texas, Texas Tech University and Baylor University at the home of the Houston Astros. The Owls will again host two tournaments, but the opponents will be much stronger this time around. Probable preseason No. 1 Georgia Tech University, defending Big 12 Conference champion University of Nebraska and Lamar University will visit for the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational Feb. 9-11. Purdue University, Wake Forest University and Central Florida University will then provide the opposition in the Coca Cola/Rice Classic Feb. 16-18. Baylor and Texas A&M University will again visit Reckling Park, and the Owls and Longhorns renew their regular season rivalry for the first time in three years with one game at Reckling and one at UT's Disch-Falk Field. The Sliver Glove Series against UH is also back to its original five-game length, with two games at Reckling and three at Cougar Field. "We think this will be the best schedule in Rice history," Graham said. "The non-conference schedule will certainly be the best we've ever had." Rice's Western Athletic Conference schedule should also be as tough as it has ever been. The Owls have won the WAC all four years they've been a part of the league, but winning a fifth straight title won't be a walk in the park. Rice plays 36 WAC games, including three at home and three on the road against each of the other six WAC teams. Home highlights will include the WAC opener against the University of Hawaii at Hilo in late February and a mid-March battle with San Jose State University, which went to the College World Series last year. "With San Jose State advancing to the College World Series last year, the WAC has proven that it's one of the tougher baseball leagues in the country," Graham said. "And with Nevada, an NCAA-tournament team last year, joining the league, it will be even better." Rice ended its first season in Reckling Park ranked 24th in country, going 43-23 and sharing the WAC title with San Jose State. The Owls averaged a school-record 2,005 fans per home date last year.
- back - |
|
|
Search the Thresher pages:
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
