Cougars earn first season sweep of Owls since 1991

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SUGAR LAND – As Casey Grayson scooped up a harmless groundball and touched first base, Houston began celebrating their first season sweep of rival Rice since 1991 when many of the current roster had yet been born.

Yes, it had been that long.

Jared Robinson threw 4 2/3 scoreless relief innings, escaping a jam in the eighth inning, as the No. 16 Cougars handed the No. 14 Owls a 7-3 loss Tuesday night at Constellation Field.

The reward: the Silver Glove Trophy is changing addresses for the first time in 14 years.

"It's been years and years of frustration on our part not being able to win the series," UH coach Todd Whitting said. "It's a huge deal for our program to win a series against them."

Before this season, the Owls had a stranglehold on the Silver Glove, winning 25 of the last 28 meetings against UH.

"For whatever reason we played our worst baseball this season against Houston," Rice coach Wayne Graham said. "Only way we can redeem our honor now is to go further in the postseason than they do."

University of Houston shortstop Frankie Ratcliff fields a ball in the fourth inning during an NCAA baseball game against Rice at Constellation Field on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Sugar Land. University of Houston shortstop Frankie Ratcliff fields a ball in the fourth inning during an NCAA baseball game against Rice at Constellation Field on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Sugar Land. Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Cougars earn first season sweep of Owls since 1991 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

UH did all its damage in two innings, taking advantage of a throwing error for two runs in the first inning and four walks - along with another throwing error and wild pitch - in a five-run fifth. UH freshman Connor Hollis went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and made a couple of defensive gems at third base.

Rice's Chase McDowell, who allowed six runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings, hit a solo home run in the third inning. John Clay Reeves added a two-run triple in the fifth.

"We had a couple of chances in the game where we could have let them get back in there or let it get away from us," Whitting said.

With a 7-3 lead, Robinson walked Reeves and allowed a double to Michael Aquino to begin the inning. His 87-mph outside fastball caught the edge of the plate for a called-third strike on Ewing, the Owls' top power hitter, and pinch-hitter Charlie Warren and McDowell hit grounders to end the threat. The Owls were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

"It's time the trophy came home," Robinson said. "It's special for the school, players, coaches and everybody involved."