A Season to Remember
The 2026 baseball season will be remembered as one of the most successful in recent Rice Owls history. The team closed the year with a 35‑24 record, the program’s best finish in a decade and a testament to the depth and resilience built throughout the schedule.
At the heart of that effort was junior second baseman JC Davis, who was crowned the 2026 Dell Morgan Award winner and named the Owls' Most Valuable Player. Davis posted a .330 batting average, the highest mark by an Owl since 2021, and contributed 42 runs, 62 hits, 38 RBI and 15 two‑out RBI, anchoring a lineup that consistently moved runners across the plate.
The offensive accolades extended beyond Davis. Senior outfielder Paul Smith earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, leading the team in home runs, RBI, total bases, slugging percentage and walks. Smith ranked sixth in the conference with 13 homers and was ninth in the American League with five conference homers, underscoring his impact against top competition.
On the mound, right‑hander Tanner Wiggins was recognized as Pitcher of the Year and also captured the American Conference Newcomer Pitcher of the Year award. Wiggins logged 83.1 innings, tying for second in the league, and struck out 38 batters, placing him seventh in the conference for strikeouts.
Academic excellence was also celebrated, as freshman right‑hander Ethan Sanders received the Academic Player of the Year award. Sanders posted a 3.97 ERA in his inaugural season on campus, balancing a demanding course load with a key role in the rotation.
The roster’s depth was further reinforced by contributions from Braden Comeaux and Matt Canterino, who provided valuable innings and versatile hitting throughout the campaign.
Conference Accolades
Davis’s all‑around performance placed him second on the team in several key offensive categories and earned him American Player of the Week honors after a .600 hitting streak that drove in 11 runs. Smith’s power numbers positioned him among the top conference hitters, while Wiggins’s durability and strikeout ability made him a cornerstone of the pitching staff.
Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, continues to leverage its strong academic reputation and vibrant campus life to attract top talent. The team’s training facilities in Clearwater, Florida, also played a pivotal role in preparing the squad for a demanding schedule.