Conference-USA has announced Rice hurler Ryne Tacker (Coppell Copperheads ’04-’06) as the league’s Pitcher of the Year.After missing the entire 2006 season with an injury, Tacker bounced back to share the team and Conference

lead in wins with a 9-1 record.  He tied C-USA Player of the Year Joe Savery for third place in the conference with a 2.41 ERA and allowed opponents to hit just .220 against him, second-lowest in the league.  In 71 innings pitched, Tacker struck out 66 and walked just 20.  He played a role in four Owls shutouts this season and notched three saves.One of the TCL’s three-year players (2004-2006) with the Coppell Copperheads, Tacker piled up a 4-5 record with 93 strikeouts in 82 innings pitched in his TCL career.