Houston -- Dalllas Gallant pitched his second consecutive complete game, but it wasn't enough as the Bearkats fell to Rice 3-2 in the night game of the Houston Regional. The freshman from Trinity pitched eight innings, allowing seven hits and three runs, taking the loss.

The Bearkats scored in the first on a single by Bobby Verbick and put another run up in the fourth on a single by Braden Riley, but that was all the Kats could get off of Rice starting pitcher Ryan Berry and relief pitcher Bobby Bell.

Bell entered the game in the top of the seventh inning and retired the final nine batters of the game for the Bearkats.

Rice put two runs on the board in the third inning and another one in the fourth against Gallant (9-4). After the fourth inning neither team was able to scratch out a run. The Bearkats had a pair of singles in the fifth and on another one in the sixth. After a Nick Zaleski single to start the sixth, the final 12 batters of the game for the Bearkats were retired.

Sam Houston State (37-24) totaled seven hits with Todd Sebek going 2-for-4. The senior outfielder started the game with a single for the Bearkats and scored on Verbick's single. Gallant faced 33 batters and threw 101 pitches. He struck out three batters and walked two.

Rice (43-13) was led by Rick Hague who went 2-for-4.

"We have played Rice three times this year and all three have been one-run games, "SHSU head coach Mark Johnson said. "They have a good ball club. I through Ryan Berry, the Rice starter, threw very well. Our freshman, Dallas Gallant gave us a chance to get the victory, but it comes down to whether you hit into a couple of double plays. We hit into some double plays that got us out of some innings."

The Bearkats will face Texas on Saturday in an elimination game. The Longhorns fell 2-1 to St. John's in the opening game of the Houston Regional. Texas will start freshman Chance Ruffin while the Bearkats will send Ryan Tepera to the hill. The game will start at 2 p.m.