Rice Owls will kick off the 2026 American Conference Baseball Championship as the third seed, facing off against Wichita State on Thursday. With a 16-11 conference record, this marks the first time Rice has earned the third seed in 28 conference tournaments. The Owls have shown a strong late-season performance, posting the best conference record (8-1) over the final three weeks, which secured them a first-round bye. J.P. Heath will provide live commentary, with additional coverage available on ESPN+. Historically, Wichita State leads the series but Rice has a slight edge in postseason play.

By the Numbers
  • Rice finished the regular season with a 16-11 conference record.
  • The Owls achieved an 8-1 record over the last three weeks of the season.
State of Play
  • Rice is looking to build momentum after recovering from an early-season 3-6 start.
  • The Owls are +28 in run differential this season, aiming for a positive finish for the first time since 2017.
What's Next

The winner of Thursday's game will advance to face East Carolina on Friday at 8 a.m. The losing team will compete against the loser of the UTSA vs. Memphis game later that evening.

Bottom Line

The Rice Owls must leverage their late-season success and a strong pitching duo to progress in the tournament. With heightened stakes, their performance against Wichita State is critical for maintaining momentum in the championship.