March 29, 2008

Box Score

HOUSTON - Rice rebounded from last nights 1-0 pitchers duel by scoring nine runs on 14 hits in a 9-0 win Saturday afternoon at Reckling Park in Houston.

Southern Miss starting pitcher David Clark (2-3) had his worst outing of the season lasting only one and two-thirds innings, surrendering six runs, four earned, on four hits and three walks, while striking out only one.

Rice starting pitcher Chris Kelly (3-1) threw 6.2 innings without allowing a run and scattering four hits while striking out six.

Southern Miss managed to accumulate seven hits but was unable to put a rally together after hitting into a season high five double plays. Brian Dozier led the charge at the plate with a two-for-four afternoon.

Rice surpassed the total runs in yesterday's game with two runs in the first inning, both unearned of Clark. Jared Gayhart singled with one out to start the Rice rally and went to second as Corey Stevens bobbled the ball in the corner of right field. Diego Seastruck hit what appeared to be a routine fly ball to centerfield, but the wind played havoc on and center fielder Bo Davis was unable to corral the fly ball, putting runners at second and third.

Aaron Luna followed with a ground ball right to third baseman Chris Matesich who choose to throw home but short-hopped catcher Kyle Maxie allowing the run to score. Adam Zornes followed with a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring the second run of the inning for the Owls.

Clark walked the first two hitters to start the bottom of the second inning and a RBI single by Jimmy Comerota scored Jess Buenger for a 3-0 Rice lead. Clark issued his third walk of the inning to load the bases and Seastruck followed with a sacrifice fly to score the second run of the inning. Aaron Luna hit an infield single that shortstop Brian Dozier made a tremendous play to stop but could not an out scoring the fifth run of the game and chasing Clark for his shortest outing of the season.

Freshman Seth Hester entered the game in relief of Clark and allowed a leadoff single to Zornes putting the Owls on top 6-0 through two innings.

Freshman Houston Brown enter the game in relief of Hester in the sixth inning and allowed a single to lead off the inning and then Rick Hauge put down what appeared to be a sacrifice bunt but was called back for a balk on Brown, Hauge then drilled the next pitch over the left field wall for a two-run homerun and a 8-0 Rice lead.

Rice added their ninth run of the game on an RBI single by Jared Gayhart to right field in the seventh inning off reliever JR Ballanger.

The two teams will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. Freshman Todd McInnis (5-1, 4.30 ERA) will match up against Rice RHP Matt Langwell (3-0, 4.24 ERA)

-southernmiss.com-