More Pics From Saturday's Game vs. ECU

Jake Smith got this call right--the runner at home
was safe.















Bobby Bramhall delivers.






















Dodson homered on this swing.
















Why are these three on this page? Well, they
know the value of a quarter! Conner Smith (middle)
traded a hot dog with a player (to be left unnamed)
in the bullpen for a baseball. The other boys are
Raider Daniel (l) and Robert Wolf (r).

Owls Swat Pesky Pirates, 8-5

Owls Prevails Despite Five Errors
By Mark Anderson

March 25, Reckling Park--Harrison Eldridge describes the ECU Pirates in one word—“scrappy.” Boy, is he ever right.

The Pirates had every right to roll over and play dead in this game. Craig Crow, the Rice starting pitcher, was on, allowing only 5 hits and stroking out 8 in 6 innings. After this performance today, Crow well may be the answer to what seems to be the trivia question, “Who is the Owls’ third starter?” Saturday was a day that seemed to be one that showed Craig Crow’s potential value to the Owls in the not-so-distant future.

The Owls offense took a while to wake up, but once it got going, there was no stopping it. In the fourth, Aaron Luna homered to make it 2-0. In the fifth, Brian Friday reached on a single and was sacrificed to second by Buchanan. Dodson hit behind the runner as he grounded out to second. Friday scored on an RBI single by Josh Rodriguez, who then stole second. Danny Lehmann drove in Rodriguez with a single, and Chad Lembeck doubled down the leftfield line, moving Lehmann to third. But the threat ended there when Joe Savery struck out to end the inning, but the Owls had the lead they would never relinquish at 3-0

The Owls would pad that lead in the sixth to 5-0 when Luna lead off with a double, followed by a walk to Henley and a bunt single byt Friday to load the bases. Buchanan’s single plated Luna and Henley. After Dodson struck out, Rodriguez walked, but the threat ended when Danny Lehmann grounded into a second to short to first to end the inning.

The Pirates tried to steal the game again for a second consecutive game when Witter lead off with a high fly that Dodson lost in the high blue sky for an error. Henderson, pinch-hitting, reached on catcher’s interference. Eldridge doubled down the right field line, scoring Witter, and bringing Henderson to third. After Batts, pinch-hitting for Tounsely, popped out, Ray grounded to second, bringing in Henderson. Wood followed with a double to left-enter, scoring Eldridge. All three runs off Bramhall in this inning were unearned because of Dodson’s error, but the Pirates had narrowed the gap to 5-3.

The Owls extended their lead to 8-3 in the bottom of the eighth with one out when Buchanan reached on a bunt single, and Dodson immediately atoned for his error in left by hitting a no doubt homer to left. After Rodriguez grounded out, Lehmann singled and Lembeck followed with a triple, driving in Lehmann. But Savery ended the inning with a fly ball to left that made the Owls lead look secure with a five run lead.

The Pirates came storming back to try and steal the game once more in the ninth off of Bobby Bell, who had gotten the last out of the eighth inning. He got the first out in the ninth when Mollenhauer flied out to left. But Jake Smith singled to left, and was safew at second on Brian Friday’s second error of the game. Hodges grounded to second, but moved the runners up to second and third. Eldridge’s single to left brought home Smith and Witter, making the score 8-5. Batts reached on a fielder’s choice, and Eldridge reached second on Friday’s second error of the inning. But Bobby Bell bore down and struck out Jamie Ray to end the ball game for the Owls.

The rubber game for this series will be tomorrow at noon when Joe Savery takes the hill for the Owls and Brody Taylor takes the hill for the Pirates. The weather is supposed to be fantastic. Lets hope that the Owls continue their timely hitting and take the series tomorrow.

Pictures from Saturday's ECU-Rice Game

THis throw by Jordan Dodson stopped the
runner at third from trying to score.

















Craig Crow delivers a pitch.


















Rodriguez throws to Savery for the out.















Bobby Bell says "O thank heavens!" after getting
the last out of the game for his first save.
















Buchanan makes the play to Joe Savery at first.




















Chad Lembeck hit the ball on the nose all day,
with a fouble and a triple.





















Aaron Luna's dance step didn't stop him from
getting hit on this pitch.
















Danny Lehmann receives congrats from Travis
Reagan (left) and Derek Myers (right).

Correction From Last Night

I reported from last night's game that the two runs that scored came on what seemed to be a call by the umpire at second that would have ended the ball game. Others saw that umpire make the same motion I did.

However, the reasopn the home plate umpire overruled it was because there would have been catcher's interference at home plate. The home plate umpire was heard to say, "Either way, the two runs score." So even if the umpire at second at called runner interference, it would have been overruled by the first interference call that would have taken place at home plate.

Pirates Steal One From Degerman, Owls

Ninth Inning Rally Lifts ECU Over Rice

By Mark Anderson
March 24, Reckling Park--The East Carolina Pirates came to Reckling on Friday night with hopes of stealing a win from Rice. And thanks to a wild ninth inning, they did just that.

The Owls trailed 2-1 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. After Rodriguez opened with a strikeout, Dodson singled to left. Bobby Bramhall walked on a 3-2 pitch, and Ford followed with a walk, loading the bases. Brian Friday tried laying down a suicide squeeze, only to have Hose make a great play to the Jake Smith, the Pirate catcher, at home. But Danny Lehmann, in the ball game after Travis Reagan had to be taken out after a catcher’s interference that hurt his hand, singled to left, bringing in both Bramhall and pinch runner Derek Myers to give the Owls a 3-2 lead.

With Cole St. Clair on the mound, and having struck out two hitters in the eighth, the Owls looked like they were in the cat bird seat. But the Pirates made a game of it in the ninth when Jamie Ray doubled deep into leftfield. After several fouls, Harrison Eldridge struck out on a pitch that appeared to be outside. Brandon Henderson pinch hit for Hodges, and was drilled by St. Clair on the first pitch he saw from the Owl reliever. Wood walked to load the bases. Mattox hit a sharp grounder to Savery, who got the out at second. But the return to St. Cole got away from him as he covered first, and two runs came in on Friday’s errant throw. What made it confusing to the Reckling faithful was it appeared that interference had been called at second base, resulting in a double play that would have ended the ball game. But that was seemingly overturned by the home plate umpire, and the play stood, as did the two runs. Mollenhauer popped out to end the ninth for the Pirates, who stole the lead, 4-3.

Chad Lembeck led off the ninth for the Owls, pinch-hitting for Bramhall, and struck out for the first out in the ninth. Adam Zornes pinch-hit for Myers, who had pinch run for Ford and scored in the seventh, and Zornes flied out. Friday, who made the errant throw to give the Pirates the lead, had his chance at redemption and singled between shirt and third off the third baseman’s glove. But Lehmann popped out to short left to end the game.

Owls Announce Starting Pitchers for Weekend Series Against ECU Pirates

By Mark Anderson

The Rice Owls have announced the starting pitchers for both teams for the weekend series against the East Carolina Pirates.

FRIDAY: (7 pm start) Eddie Degerman (5-0, 0.86 ERA) vs. T.J. Hose (3-1, 2.48 ERA)
SATURDAY: (2 pm start) Craig Crow (2-1, 2.62 ERA) vs. Justin Sassser (4-2, 1.96 ERA)
SUNDAY: (noon start) Joe Savery (3-1, 2.01 ERA) vs. Brody Taylor (3-0, 2.60 ERA)

Other notes. . . . Last night I posted that the pitching staff for the ECU Pirates had the top ERA in C-USA at 3.01--not so. The Owls actually have a better ERA team-wise at 2.95. . . .The oppoenent's team batting average against the Owls is .233, and to date, the Owls have outscored their opponents by a run total of 180-91. . . The Owls as a team are batting .300, while ECU as a team is batting .284. . . . While the Pirates have 5 players in double digits for RBIs, the Owls regular starting nine ALL have double digit RBI numbers, led by the top three, Josh Rodriguez (25), Chad Lembeck (21) and Aaron Luna (20), closely followed by Joe Savery (19 RBIs). . . . don't look for many pictures from tonight's game with the weather forecast to be in the 30's with a north wind. . . There will be plenty of them tomorrow though.

Pirates Come to Town Looking to Steal Wins

East Carolina Not To Be Overlooked
By Mark Anderson

The Rice Owls take their number two ranking to Reckling Field on Friday as they open Conference USA play at 7:00pm.

For those of you thinking that East Carolina will be a pushover, I have two words for you: think again.

While the Pirates were picked in preseason to finish sixth (with Rice finishing first), the fact is ECU has a winning record at 16-7. Here are some other things to consider:
· Dustin Sasser is 4-2 with a 1.96 ERA as a starter
· T.J. Hose is 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA as a starter
· ECU leads C-USA in team ERA at 3.01
· The Pirates have 5 players in double digits when it comes to RBIs
· If the batter’s first name is Jake, they are good hitters (Jake Smith, .337, 5 HR, 10 RBI; Jake Dean, .310, 5 doubles, 9 RBI)

This team, in spite of playing a weaker schedule, deserves some respect.

There are a few glaring weaknesses on the Pirate team, however. One of them is the number of times runners have been picked off (not thrown out trying to steal, that’s a whole different story) with six pickoffs. That sort of thing has the tendency to take a team right out of big innings.

The other glaring weakness, in my opinion, is the lack of a proven stopper. ECU has only two saves on the season—and these are by two different pitchers. Kevin Rhodes seems to be the guy the turn to in critical situations, having the more impressive stats (14 innings, 11 strikeouts, only 2 walks).

In the last week (minus the Texas game), the Owl bats have seemingly found life. Tyler Henley, Greg Buchanan, Joe Savery, as well as Jordan Dodson and Brian Friday have all been swinging the aluminum well, and Aaron Luna seems to be regaining his early form. Let’s hope that the hot hitting continues this weekend—and beyond.

As of this date, I have not heard the pitching matchups for this weekend, but will post them as soon as I get them. It seems likely that Eddie Degerman and Joe Savery will certainly make appearances as starters, but Sunday’s starter is anybody’s guess at this point—except Coach Wayne Graham, of course!

While it may be a little on the cool side this weekend, hopefully the Owls will come out like a house of fire. But again—don’t overlook these Pirates! They deserve our respect for what they have accomplished so far this year. Hope to see you at Reckling this weekend for what looks to be a very good series.

A Brief Analysis (So Far)

By Mark Anderson

Sitting in a Florida hotel room seems like a good place to offer a little perspective on the Rice Owls season thus far. They’ve played twenty-plus games so far. Their season record at the time I began this article was 15-5. I heard about the loss to Sam Houston State last week. So how are the Owls stacking up so far this season?

From this writer’s perspective, good. . . very good, in fact.

Ask Nebraska if you don’t believe me. . . or Cal State Fullerton. . . or TCU. These are ranked teams that Rice has beaten—and usually their ace pitcher to boot. Only two ranked teams Arizona State, and Texas –who has been a thorn in the (back) side, beating Rice on a dramatic ninth inning homer, and then winning big at Reckling (don’t worry, Rice fans, Rice gets another shot at them in Austin on the 22nd of March) until SHSU were able to inflict losses upon the feathered flock. While a loss against Sam Houston State University was a little on the unexpected side, other highly ranked teams have lost at least one game to an unranked team (think LONGHORNS here).

What (and Who) Has Been Excellent

Can you say Eddie Degerman? Eddie has been nothing short of great this season. His 4-0 record and his pitches have been darting and deceptive. Eddie isn’t overpowering—his fastball averages between 88-91 mph. But mix that in with a great curve and a change-up that keeps a hitter off-balance.

Cole St. Clair has also done a great job in relief for the Owls. Cole again isn’t overpowering, but he is one who keeps a hitter off-stride. His outing against Sam Houston was remarkable, especially pitching almost six innings in relief.

Another name that needs to go here is Jordan Dodson. Jordan has been a very consistent hitter this year, and has put the ball out of the park in some crucial situations. But folks, don’t forget that glove and arm! This young man has a cannon hanging out of that right sleeve, and it is an accurate one (ask the Longhorns about that one).

Josh Rodriguez has been outstanding as well. Who can forget the two walk-off homers—especially the one against Cal-Fullerton in the 10th inning? While not able to play for much of the time in the field, his contributions at DH are considerable.

The outfield defense for the Owls has been very good this year. Dodson in left has displayed the ability to go and get it as well as a strong arm that keeps runners honest. Chad Lembeck has been just as spectacular, if not more so, in right field. His arm has also kept runners honest. Tyler Henley has also done a fine job defensively in centerfield. This outfield is one that I feel doesn’t get its’ due in national headlines, especially where the defense is concerned.

Also considered excellent: Joe Savery’s defensive play at first; Bryce Cox’s job as a closer (yes, I consider it excellent—leave out the two Texas games and the SHSU disaster, and you have an unbelievable record of shutting the door); and Danny Lehmann has done an outstanding job behind the plate and gotten several clutch hits and/or sacrifice flies in crucial situations.

I would be amiss in ending this section without giving kudos to Coach Graham and the entire coaching staff for a fantastic job thus far. Coach Graham has pulled more strings than Gepetto ever thought about pulling with Pinnochio because of injuries. The coaching staff has not let the players get down on themselves if they lose a lead. The Cal State game on Friday night was a great example of this. This team never quit. So the last excellent mark goes to the entire Rice tean for their attitude, hustle, and effort. This team plays ball the way baseball was meant to be played. Most important of all, this team will not quit.

Who Has Been Good Consistently

Joe Savery has been very good as the second starting pitcher for the Owls. His game against Cal State-Fullerton is a good indicator of how Joe has pitched this season. The Owls will need his consistency in the last part of the season in order for the Owls to go to Omaha.

Greg Buchanan has been a good offensive player for the Owls this season. His hitting and ability to steal a base have kept the Owls going or got them going. Chad Lembeck has also been consistent—he has been at the heart of several rallies, and scored several critical runs to ignite the offense. Chad has also shown flashes of power.

Brian Friday has done a very consistent job minding the store for Josh Rodriguez at shortstop since Josh was unable to start because of elbow problems.

Some would question my putting Aaron Luna into this category, but Aaron has been very consistent, although every hit has not been a home run. Still, check out his RBI’s—he’s done a good job for a pure freshman. Would we like him to hit home runs with every at-bat? Yes, we would, but that’s simply not going to happen. What is happening is he is making the adjustment from high school to Division I-A ball. He's going to do a great job for the Owls, not only this year, but in years to come.

Improvements Needed in the Future

The infield defense needs to come together and be more consistent. It simply cannot expect to make three or more errors a game and hope to squeak it out in the end. Good defense wins championships, and separates the champions from the also-rans.

The third starter in the rotation has to be found soon. Will McDaniel did a nice job last Friday night—is he the answer? He looked good last Friday in Corpus. St.Clair’s outing against SHSU merits consideration as well. This, in my opinion, will be one of the keys to whether or not the Owls succeed this season.

Coming On?
I would have listed the hitting of Joe Savery and Tyler Henley in the last section, but it seems that these two may very well have begun to find their stroke lately. Can Will Mc Daniel be the answer for the third starter? He’s got the ability—and the opportunity now. Let’s hope that what he showed in the Whataburger Classic is a sign of good things to come. Craig Crow also has the ability to contribute.

The second half of the season will reveal these answers—and a lot more. Do the Owls have the potential to go all the way to the CWS? Potential, yes—but potential and seventy-five cents won’t buy you a cup of coffee in a lot of places. This team has all sorts of potential, including reaching the CWS. It looks like the final part of the 2006
Schedule is something every team wants. Hopefully, we will see whether or not Rice
Can Rice fulfill not only the potential they have, but their destiny-- and play in the CWS? Time will tell.

Pictures from Saturday's 6-2 win over CSF

This ball just missed leaving Reckling.

















Smokin' Joe Savery delivers.











Lembeck lines one




















Bobby Bell rocks and fires to get the win Saturday.





















Lehmann watches and begins running to first.

Pictures from Friday's CSF-Rice game

Josh Rodriguez wins it with this walk-off homer in the 10th.

















Eddie looks on in the 9th inning.


















Luna fields a chopper at third.

WOW! DID YOU SEE THAT???

Owls Win on Walk-off Homer by J-Rod in the 10th
By Mark Anderson

March 3, Reckling Park--If you have attended a lot of baseball games, you’ve probably been to some that could be called sleepers. Yawners. Boring.

You couldn’t use any of those words to describe this game. Excitng, yes. A nail-biter, yes. Intense. That’s the word Joe Savery used to describe it afterwards.

This game had it all. It had great pitching by Eddie Degerman of the Owls, who lowered hid ERA to a microscopic 0.90, as well as Wes Roemer of Cal State (we’ll forgive his three HBP). It had close plays at first on both sides, bringing out both coaches and causing one’s ejection. George Horton reached a boiling point on several; occasions, and Coach graham had some gentlemanly discussions with umpires throughout the game.

Oh yeah—there was a walk off homerun by Josh Rodriguez.

I say that tongue-in –cheek, because J-Rod had a great game, going 3-4 with a two singles and the game-winning walk off homerun. But let’s not overlook some others—Travis Reagan had two doubles, Henley also had a double, one that created a firestorm of controversy when the outfielder claimed he had caught the ball (he did on the bounce off the wall—I have picture proof, albeit a little blurry).

All in all, it was one very exciting game for the 12-2 Owls, who hung in against a very tough team and a very tough pitcher to come back and win in extra innings. I’m not going opt give you a play-by-play description here this time—we’ll link you to others who have done that.

Instead, we’ll ask the question—hey guys, what was it like out there?

Joe Savery had a vivid description of what this game was like for the players. “It’s pretty intense. You see them play in the College World Series and then you get a chance to play against them, and then it’s a close game like this, and then an ending like that—it’s like something out of the movies. It’s pretty cool.” He also credited Coach Taylor and Coach Pierce for not letting the team let down when they got behind, but kept encouraging them to hang in there until Rodriguez hit his game-winner.

I asked Josh Rodriguez what happened at the plate when he hit the game-winner. “It was a fastball, and he was trying to go away. . . we didn’t let down.”

It was definitely a good comeback win for us,” said Jordan Dodson. “We want to come back and win two more.” When asked about the play at first where he was called out, he said, “It was definitely a bang-bang play, but he had his foot off the bag.” Dodson’s reaction at the time was, “You’ve got to be kidding!” Coach Taylor stepped in and fired up the team in doing so, according to Dodson.

What a game Friday’s was. . . and if that is any indication at all, this weekend’s series ought to br fantastic. Joe Savery takes the hill today at 2 pm for the Institute. Judging by the first game, it ought to be a great one.

GAME STORY: http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/030406aab.html

BOX SCORE: http://riceowls.collegesports.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2005-2006/030306.html