HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Houston Cougars and Rice Owls will renew their crosstown rivalry Tuesday night at M.O. Campbell Center, with the home-standing Owls looking to continue their stronger season while the Cougars aim to reverse recent struggles.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 67 degrees.

Rice (24-17) enters with the better record and momentum from a series win over Charlotte last weekend, though they are coming off a 10-inning, 6-5 loss to Memphis on Sunday. The Owls will rely on right-hander Ryland Urbanczyk, a key player to watch. Urbanczyk delivered a quality start in that loss, allowing two earned runs over six innings with seven strikeouts. He has been a workhorse at times this season, including a seven-inning outing in a win over Charlotte on April 12.

Houston (17-21) seeks consistency after dropping two of three at West Virginia, including a 7-3 defeat Sunday. A bright spot in that loss was reliever Max McCraray, who tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. McCraray, a player to watch for the Cougars, has been effective lately, not allowing an earned run in five of his last six appearances out of the bullpen.

The most recent meeting heavily favors Houston, which routed Rice 13-1 on March 10. However, the Owls’ overall form this season suggests a tighter contest.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-3 victory for Rice.

Following this midweek clash, both teams dive back into conference play. Houston travels to face TCU for a three-game series starting Friday, while Rice hits the road for a series at Wichita State.