By CLAIRISSA PETT
clairissa@du2.byu.edu
BYU baseball vs. Rice. It's like pitting Tiger Woods' caddy against David Duval in the Augusta National.
And since the Cougars can't claim a 25 handicap, they will have to execute a performance that exceeds any other they've had this season.
BYU begins a three-game series today against Rice -- the No. 3 team in the nation, according to Baseball America -- in Houston.
The Owls (32-7, 12-3) became members of the WAC two seasons ago and already have two conference championships under their belt. Last season, Rice was the WAC's sole representative in the College World Series and was picked to finish fourth in this year's national preseason polls.
'We are trying to posture ourselves to play as good as we can at Rice so we can become better prepared to win games down the stretch in the WAC,' BYU coach Gary Pullins said. 'Rice is having an outstanding season and they are a credit to our conference.'
Rice is coming off a three-game sweep of San Jose State and is on a five-game winning streak. The Owls' pitching staff showcases preseason All-American southpaw Mario Ramos, who was named WAC Pitcher of the Week for the second time in three weeks.
But all pessimism aside, BYU does possess the goods to deliver an upset.
The Cougars (18-7, 7-7) gained more confidence and versatility in Tuesday's 9-2 victory over Utah. Ten Cougars produced hits, with four of those going for extra bases. Pitcher Paul Jacinto held the Utes to one run on four hits in perhaps his best collegiate outing to date. As a team, BYU is hitting .321 in WAC contests.
Pullins said the victory was a much-needed reminder of what BYU has the potential to do when it comes together and plays well.
'After a terrible series with Texas Christian University (last week), we played so badly that we needed a game where we could get a good workout before going to Rice,' he said.
Rice holds a 4-0 series advantage against the Cougars, winning every meeting since 1997.
After today's game, BYU will play a doubleheader Friday at 3:30 p.m. MDT. The first game of that doubleheader will be broadcast live on 1400 AM.