Meanwhile, Fresno State (14-11) beat Louisiana Tech (9-16), 12-1, last night to move to within two games of the Owls.

"It was a good game all around," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "I'm very proud of our guys. We got some breaks, but made the most of our breaks. We executed very well, and when we needed to get a couple big hits, we did."

The Rainbows snapped a 1-all game on one of three Rice errors in the fifth inning. Omura followed with a two-run single that made it 4-1.

Ammon, who reached on the error that led to the go-ahead run in the fifth, had a two-run single in the sixth that was followed by an RBI triple by Omura in UH's second three-run inning of the game that made it 7-1.

It was crucial insurance as the Owls got one back in the sixth, and then two more in the seventh on Clay Reichenbach's two-run home run that ended Bryant's outing.

Bryant (8-3), who also gave up a solo home run to Adam Rodgers in the second, allowed four runs on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. Wright retired all seven batters he faced to pick up his fourth save.

"He was just getting ahead (in the count)," Trapasso said of Wright. "He was down in the zone and was very good."

Wright, who had four strikeouts, threw first-pitch strikes to all but one hitter. He should be available again for Sunday's game, Trapasso said.

The Rainbows were especially productive at the bottom of the order. Esteban Lopez, the eighth-place hitter, went 4 for 4 and scored twice. Ninth-place hitter Derek DuPree was 2 for 3 and scored twice.

The Rainbows tagged Rice starter Josh Geer (9-4) for seven runs (one unearned) on eight hits and five walks in 5· innings. He had two strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Omura aided his cause in the WAC batting title race by batting 2 for 4, lifting his average to .384. Rice's Joe Savery, who was 1 for 4, still leads the WAC at .389.

After Rodgers' home run put Rice ahead 1-0, UH tied it in the third when Matt Inouye led off with a walk, took second on a balk, advanced to third on Lopez's single off the pitcher and scored on DuPree's bunt single.

The Rainbows broke open the game with the three-run fifth, and cushioned the lead with three more in the sixth.

The series continues today at 9 a.m., Hawai'i Time. The game will be broadcast live on KKEA (1420 AM).