PICS FROM NEBRASKA-RICE

Dodson homers














Lembeck safe at home




















Buchanan goes head over heels




















Lembeck smiles as he watches his hit fall safely

Buchanan safe at 2nd despite pleas to the contrary.

Degerman, Owls, Win Over Nebraska

Luna Gets Game-Winning RBI

By Mark Anderson
Feb.25, Reckling Park-- What happens when you get a flamethrowing Cornhusker squaring off against a pitcher who owns both sides of the plate and keeps a hitters off-stride? You get the ball game seen at Reckling this afternoon when Joba Chamberlain (the flamethrower) faced off against Eddie Degerman (the one who owns both sides of the plate).

Both pitchers were nothing short of spectacular. For Chamberlain, his 6 2/3 innings gave him ten strikeouts while walking only one and giving up six hits. Degerman was just as spectacular, giving up eight hits over seven innings, while striking out nine and walking one.

The Owls struck first against the hard-throwing hurler from corn country when Lembeck singled to right to open the second, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and slid in ahead of the centerfielder’s throw after Dodson singled to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.

Nebraska looked like it might answer in the third. Optiz singled to open the inning. Catcher Jeff Christy hit a ground ball to Luna, who threw to Buchanan for one out. It appeared that Christy would be safe at first—except the umpire ruled that the slide was out of the baseline and called Christy out. Nebraska protested, but to no avail, and the third inning was a scoreless one for them.

In the fourth, the Owls added a second run off flame-throwing Chamberlain when Jordan Dodson turned on a fastball and sent it to the next zip code. The way Degerman was pitching, two runs looked pretty good.

But then Nebraska stormed back in the fifth inning to tie up the ballgame. With one out, Opitz singled, and Jeff Christy doubled to put him on third. Sullivan pinch-hit for Edelfsen, and delivered a run scoring single to left. After Nimmo struck out, Jaros blooped a hit to right, falling between Buchanan and Lembeck, and driving in the second run of the inning. Degerman ended the threat by striking out when Wehrle struck out, leaving the ball game tied at 2-2.

The Owls winning rally came in the bottom of the seventh when Lembeck eld off with a walk, was sacrificed to second by Dodson, and scored on an Aaron Luna single. The Owls now had the lead, 3-2.

Bryce Cos entered the game to begin the top of the eighth. One again, Cox was virtually unhittable. Cox allowed only a single to Buckman while striking out three and walking none for his second save.

For the Owls, this game showed the true character of the team—no superstars, but all doing the job when called upon, and doing it unselfishly. The perfect example is Jordan Dodson, who after homering in his previous at-bat, laid down the sacrifice bunt that made the winning rin possible. Degerman didn’t come close to being as flashy as Chamberlain as far as speed of pitches, but he showed how a pitcher who knows how to mix up his pitches and keep the hitters off-stride can be a very effective pitcher at this level.

The Owls seek their third win of the tournament tomorrow as Joe Savery takes the hill against Texas State University. The forecast is for a beautiful day. Texas State is no pushover—it should be a great game. We’ll see what the Owls can do in good weather.

GAME TIMES FOR TODAY PUSHED BACK

The Owl's-Cornhuskers start time of 1 pm has been pushed back to 4 pm, according to Kim McDougall, Director of Operations for Rice Owls baseball.

The new start time for game will be 4 pm, with the second game starting at 7:30 pm.

I will update this site at 1 pm if there are any changes.

Pictures from Friday

Buchanan safe at home












Savery called out at first on a bang-bang play.













This line drive hit Craig Crow.













Jordan Dodson homers on this swing.













Craig Crow delivers.

OWLS GET FEATHERS RUFFLED BEFORE WINNING BIG AGAINST ST. JOHN

By Mark Anderson

Feb.24, Reckling Park--The Rice Owls got their feathers ruffled a bit in the early innings, but came back to win big over St. John's by a score of 14-7. Bryan Price, the Owls starter, didn't make it out of the first inning after hitting one batter, allowing a single, walking the next two, getting his only out on a called strike, and then walking in another run before being relieved by Bobby Bramhall. Bramhall shut down St. John's offense, giving up only 2 hits in 3 1/3 innings and striking out five.

When the game went into a rain delay, the Owls trailed St. John's by a score of 2-1. They quickly took a 4-2 lead in the 4th when Dodson reached on a fielder's choice, Luna singled, and Ford walked after Friday had struck out. Henley then came through with a 2 run single, and Buchanan followed with an RBI single of his own. The inning ended when Joe Savery was ca;;ed out at first on a bang-bang play. They added two more runs in the 5th when Dodson homered after Lembeck had reached on a fielder's choice.

That 6-2 lead seemed safe. But incredibly, the Owls gave up the lead when St, John's scored 5 runs in the 5th on a homerun off of Gunderson by Smith, followed by singles by Zayas and Anninos. Craig Crow came in for the Owls, and was greeted by a single by Matias and a homerun by Vogl. That was followed by two singles before the inning finally ended in a double play.

The bottom of the sixth changed the game in the Owls' favor, once and for all, when Henley led off with a walk, and Buchanon walked. After Savery struck out, Rodriguez doubled, scoring both Henley and Buchanon on a close play at the plate. Lembeck drove in Rodriguez with a single. That made the score 9-7, and the Owls never looked back afterwards. The Owls added five more runs in the seventh and eighth innings to seal St. John's fate in the opener.

Weather permitting, the Owls will take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers at 1 pm Saturday. It looks to be a great matchup with "Steady Eddie" Degerman taking on Joba Chamberlain.

Upcoming: The Rice Invitational

Chamberlain, Degerman Face off Saturday in Pitching Classic

By Mark Anderson

The Rice Owls will host the Rice Invitational Tournament at Reckling Park this upcoming weekend (February 24-26). Fans will get to see Rice square off against Texas State University, St. John’s, and Nebraska.

The highlight game of this tournament may well be on Saturday, when Joba Chamberlain, the ace of the Huskers, faces off against “Steady Eddie” Degerman. Degerman has been nothing short of spectacular this season, and is coming off a one-hitter over seven innings last weekend with 11 strikeouts. Chamberlain is highly thought of in college baseball, and is considered one of the premier pitchers in Division 1-A baseball.

The Owls will send Bryan Price to the mound Friday against St. John’s. While it may seem to be somewhat of a surprise to have Price starting, Bryan looked good in the Blue-Gray games and also in the Alumni game. Sunday’s game against Texas State will feature ace lefty Joe Savery as the Sunday starter.

Starting times for the Owls are as follows:
Friday (vs. St. John’s) 4:30pm
Saturday (vs. Nebraska) 1:00pm
Sunday (vs. Texas State University) 3:30pm

Rice, Savery, Lose to Long Beach State, 4-1

The Rice Owls lost a tough game this afternoon to Long Beach State, 4-1. Joe Savery pitched 4.2 innings, but ended up with the loss. For a game summary, click here:
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/021806aaa.html

BOXSCORE:
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2005-2006/021806.html

The tournament concludes tomorrow for Rice at Reckling at 3:30 with Bobby Bell taking the hill against Lamar.

Owls Win Opener; Degerman Almost Unhittable

The Owls won over the Oklahoma Sooners Friday afternoon by a score of 8-2. Eddie Degerman was absolutely dominating, giving up only one hit and striking out 11 in 7 innings of work. I will only be able to update you from afar this weekend after a hospital stay. Here's the link to the game story:

http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/021706aaa.html

BOXSCORE
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2005-2006/g6.html

Great game for the Owls in the opener! Saturday, Joe Savery takes the hill against Long Beach State University. Game time at Reckling Field is 1pm.

Apologies to my readers

If you're wondering why there's nothing past Friday'a game, there is a reason. It's called the flu--or something like it. All I know is with the way I was feeling Saturday and Sunday, there was no way I could have been in the camera well. Believe me, I wanted to be!

It's very disappointing personally, because it took a lot of work to get my schedule worked out where I could do this. My intention was to give you full coverage of the Owls in the Minute Maid Classic. Hopefully, depending on my recovery and schedule, we should get back on track in the coming week.

Photos from Friday, Part I

SteadyEddie works his magic.














Luna does his version of a disappearing act; HR!











Even the batboy got into the act.











Myers safe at second in the 8th.

















St. Clair closes it out.

COMING SATURDAY? DRESS WARM!

By Mark Anderson

If you are planning on coming out to Minute Maid on Saturday to watch the Owls and the Longhorns battle, there's two words of advice I'll pass on to you: dress warm!

Yes, we're indoors. But we also have a Candaian cold front that has arrived in Houston. Game-time temperatures are going to be cold. While Minute Maid has a roof and air conditioning, the one thing it doesn't have is heat.

When the cold front moved into Houston this afternoon, everyone on the field coud feel it. One Minute Maid veteran photographer told me a story of bringing down a drink when it was cold outside--and the top of it froze. That might give you a tip for tomorrow.

Please take the weather seriously and bundle up if you come out. The game will undoubtedly be a hotly contested game, but that's where the heat will end Saturday. Kyle McCullough will start for Texas, and Joe Savery will get the nod from Coach Graham for the Owls. These guys bring serious heat. Let's hope it's enough for all of us.

Owls Use Disappearing Act on Texas Tech

By Mark Anderson

Houston, Feb.10—The Rice Owls reached into their bag of tricks and used the disappearing act to defeat the Red Raiders by a score of 5-1 here at the Minute Maid Classic.

Eddie Degerman began the disappearing act with his mixture of fastballs, curves, and other assorted pitches that left the Red Raiders trying to figure out where the ball disappeared. Eddie’s fastball was clocked consistently between 89-91, and only once did it reach 92 mph. Eddie used his assortment of pitches to hold the Red Raiders hitless until the 5th inning. He only gave up two hits and a run while striking out seven.

Coach Graham had nothing put praise for Degerman and St. Clair afterwards. “Degerman and St. Clair—it’s hard to pitch any better than they pitched,” said Graham.

The Owls held a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Buchanon reached on an infield single, went to third on Rodriguez’s single, and then scored on Savery’s single that moved Rodriguez to third. After Luna struck out, Chad Lembeck sent a sacrifice fly to right to bring in Rodriguez and put the Owls up. But the Red Raiders charged back in the sixth when Callander reached first on Rodriguez’s second error of the game, stole second, and scored on a two-out single by catcher Matt Smith. That ended Degerman’s night—and brought on another disappearing act—Cole St. Claire. St. Clair ended the inning with the first of seven strikeouts recorded in his three and a third innings of work to record a save.

The third disappearing act was performed by Aaron Luna, the freshman from Southlake Carroll. Luna gave the Owls the lead that would prove to be insurmountable when he homered in the sixth inning with Joe Savery on base. Aaron had a little help on this at-bat, though. Luna explained that the team had noticed that when the pitcher got down in the count, “he tended to go with fastballs away.” It was a fastball away that Luna whacked to put the game away.

Another act that baffled the Red Raiders was the color of the pitcher’s gloves. Twice the home plate umpire stopped the game when the Red Raiders sent in a new pitcher and made him change to a one-tone glove. Needless to say, the crowd was not entertained. And truthfully, at that point, they could have worn ten tone gloves out to the mound and it would not have made a bit of difference because Rice pitching absolutely stifled the Red Raider bats. The only real scare for the Owls afterwards was when Dany Lehmann took a pitch to the head--and it wasn't the glove's fault. After a few minutes to clear the cobwebs, Lehmann trotted down to first. “He was overthrowing and lost control,” said Lehmann afterwards.

BOX SCORE:
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2005-2006/g3.html

MINUTE MAID CLASSIC UPDATE

By Mark Anderson

The Owls have announced their starting rotation for the Minute Maid Classic. On Friday, Joe Savery will take the hill at 3:30 against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Saturday's starter against Texas wil be Eddie Degerman at 7 pm (by the way, if you can't get to this game, tune in to Fox Sports Southwest to watch it on TV!). Sunday, the Owls will send Bobby Bell to the hill against the TCU Horned Frogs at 6 pm.

The first pitch of the Minute Maid Classic is scheduled at noon today. Check here every evening after the games for a game summary and pictures from the Minute Maid Classic!

Owls Win Again; Luna Launches Another One

The Rice Owls won their second game of the year this afternoon by a score of 6-2. The Owls got all the fireworks they needed in the first inning when Aaron Luna launched his third straight home runs in his first three at-bats as a freshman. Bobby Bell got his first win of the year, going four innings and striking out six while giving up only one run. Owl pitchers struck out a total of seventeen McNeese State hitters. Relievers Craig Crow, Bryan Price, Cole St. Clair, and Bryce Cox struck out eleven in getting the final fifteen outs.

For the complete story, please click on this link:
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/020706aaa.html

Boxscore found here:
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2005-2006/020706.html

Bell to Start Today vs. McNeese State

Bobby Bell will make the climb up the hill today and start for the Rice Owls against McNeese State. The Owls, 1-0 after a 9-0 win over Central Missouri, face a team tht went 2-1 over the weekend against Lousiana Tech.

The game will also be broadcast over this link: www.ktru.org

If you can't be there in person, tune in to listen to the Owls as they prepare for the Minute Maid classic against Texas Tech, Texas, and TCU this Sunday. All 3 games will be at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston.

Check back here after the game for links for full coverage of the game.

Owls Win Opener, 9-0; McNeese State Up Next

The Rice Owls won their opening game Saturday, defeating Central Missouri by a score of 9-0. Joe Savery got the opening day win. To see more details on the game, click here:
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/020406aaa.html

To read the box score, click here:
http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2005-2006/g1.html

We'll provide links to complete coverage of the Owls game against McNeese State. We will have full coverage of the Minute Maid Classic games Rice plays Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

Joe Savery to Get Opening Day Start

In case Owl fans have not heard yet, it will be Joe Savery that takes the ball for Rice Saturday in the opening game of the season against Central Missouri State. Last year against Central Missourei, Savery struck out 10 in 4 innings of work and Bryan Cox closed out the 9th with 3 strikeouts of his own. The Owls combined for a total of 21 strikeouts in that game in 2005 which Rice won, 4-2.

But don't underestimate this team, Owl fans. Yes, it is a Division II team. But it is a very good Division II team, as their 57-9 record last year indicates.

UPCOMING:
Tuesday, February 7: McNeese State

No starter has been neamed by Coach Wayne Graham for the McNeese State game or for the Minute Maid Classic. When we hear officially, so will you.

MINUTE MAID CLASSIC
Here's the schedule for the Owls in the Miunute Maid Classic:
Friday, February 10: Rice vs. Texas Tech, 3:30 pm
Saturday, February 11: Rice vs. Texas, 7 pm
Sunday, February 12: Rice vs. TCU, 6 pm