HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Rice Owls, riding a three-game winning streak, will look to continue their strong season when they host the struggling Sam Houston Bearkats in a non-conference matchup Wednesday at M.O. Campbell Center.

First pitch is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon under cloudy skies with temperatures near 77 degrees.

Rice (23-14) enters the contest with momentum after securing a road series sweep at Charlotte, capped by a 3-2 victory Sunday. The Owls’ pitching was dominant in the series, allowing just 10 total runs.

Sam Houston (14-21) seeks to halt a five-game skid, having been swept by Dallas Baptist last weekend before falling to Houston on Tuesday. The Bearkats have lost nine of their last 10 games.

A key matchup will feature starting pitchers coming off contrasting recent outings. Rice is expected to send right-hander Ryland Urbanczyk to the mound. He delivered a stellar performance last Sunday, tossing seven shutout innings with four strikeouts in the win at Charlotte. However, his outings have been inconsistent, including a rough start against UTSA on April 4 where he allowed four hits without recording an out in the second inning.

Sam Houston will counter with right-hander Tate Hickman, who turned in a quality start his last time out despite taking the loss. On April 12 against Dallas Baptist, Hickman allowed one earned run on six hits over six innings, striking out six. Yet, he was tagged for eight earned runs in just three innings in a start at Missouri State on April 5.

At the plate, Sam Houston catcher Wes Baker provided a bright spot Sunday, hitting a home run in the 5-4, 10-inning loss to Dallas Baptist.

The Interstat game simulator projects a decisive 7-1 victory for the Owls.

Following this midweek game, Rice opens a three-game home series against Memphis on Friday. Sam Houston travels to begin a conference series at New Mexico State on Friday.