In the Conference USA tournament opener, FAU lost to Rice 5-3, handing it an early defeat in the double-elimination tournament in Biloxi, Miss. With the loss, FAU dropped into the loser’s bracket and will face either FIU or Old Dominion on Thursday at 10 a.m.
To win the tournament, the Owls must win five straight games in the next four days. They likely need to win the conference title to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament.
FAU (33-20-1, 18-12 Conference USA) mustered only four hits off Rice right-hander Matt Canterino in his 7 2/3 innings, but three were solo home runs.