Cougars' pitching stays hot in shutout of No. 15 Owls

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Relief pitcher Tyler Ford escaped a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning to preserve Houston's 3-0 victory over 15th-ranked Rice on Wednesday night at Reckling Park.

Ford and starter Matt Locus combined on a four-hitter as the Cougars pitching staff posted its third shutout in four games this season. The Cougars pitching staff has not allowed a run in 35 of 36 innings during the opening week of the season.

Rice starter Matt Ditman allowed four hits in a career-high 7 1/3 innings, retiring 17 straight batters at one point.

UH (4-0) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Ditman issued a two-out walk to Frankie Ratcliff and Casey Grayson, who is batting .500 in the opening week, lined a double to the left-center field gap.

The Cougars padded their lead in the top of the ninth, with Caleb Barker sending a full-count pitch with two outs into the right-field corner for a two-run double.

The win was only the second for the Cougars at Reckling Park since 2006, and just the third overall in the last 19 games for UH in the Silver Glove Series.

Houston pitcher Matt Locus throws against the Rice Owls during an NCAA baseball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Houston pitcher Matt Locus throws against the Rice Owls during an NCAA baseball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Photo: Bob Levey Photo: Bob Levey Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Cougars' pitching stays hot in shutout of No. 15 Owls 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

In the fourth, Locus, a junior college transfer making his first career start for the Cougars, allowed a one-out single up the middle to Skyler Ewing and consecutive walks to John Clay Reeves and Michael Aquino.

Ford entered the game and struck out Leon Byrd to end the threat.

In four games this season, UH starters have yet to allow a run. The Cougars have a 0.50 staff ERA.

Michael Pyeatt had two hits for the Cougars.

Shane Hoelscher added a pair of singles for the Owls (3-2).

joseph.duarte@chron.com

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