Rice University will host the University of Houston for the second game in the 2026 Silver Glove Series at Reckling Park on April 20, as part of their current five-game homestand. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:35 p.m.
The matchup coincides with Houston’s first Fleet Week and will feature several special activities, including a performance of the National Anthem by a Naval Band, a flyover, and a demonstration by a working dog team. Additionally, the first 250 fans entering the stadium will receive a Rice Baseball cap provided by Houston Methodist.
Broadcast coverage includes J.P. Heath calling play-by-play on RiceOwls.com and the Varsity Network app, while Randy McIlvoy, Austin Davis, and Alexis Pedraza will provide commentary on ESPN+. Fans can also access live statistics through Statbroadcast.
The pitching matchup features Rice right-hander Ty Baker (0-0, 2.81 ERA) against Houston’s Caden Cooper (1-1, 5.63 ERA). The Silver Glove Series began in 1998 and has been played annually except for disruptions during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Historically, Rice leads the overall series with a record of 60-41 and holds an advantage both at home (32-16) and away (27-20), though Houston has won eight of the last ten series.
David Pierce’s connection to both programs is notable; he was an outfielder for Houston from 1985 to 1986 with a record of three wins and three losses against Rice as a player. As an assistant coach at Houston later on, his teams went six wins to ten losses versus Rice. During his tenure on Rice’s staff from 2003 to 2011, Rice achieved thirty-nine wins against eight losses over Houston in regular season and postseason games.
This season at Reckling Park, Rice holds a home record of thirteen wins and nine losses under Head Coach David Pierce. Since taking over as head coach—known officially as Bixby Family Head Baseball Coach—the Owls have improved their home winning percentage compared to previous years.
Following this game against Houston, Rice will travel for a three-game conference series against Wichita State before returning home next week for another four-game homestand.
