Top Ranked Owls In Final Stretch of Season

Good Surprises, Improved D Give Owls a Shot at Top Seed, CWS
By Mark Anderson

The top ranked Rice Owls baseball team heads into its’ final—and frankly, very tough—part of the schedule this week as it faces Lamar and cross-town rival University of Houston. And there are reasons for optimism as we approach this part of the season. Let’s look at them.

POWER SURGE—While it seemed at the mid-point of the season like there were some rolling blackouts in this area, that’s just not the case now. Adam Zornes has stepped up and provided the power surge the Owls have been looking for this season. Aaron Luna was hot at the beginning of the season, seemed to cool off, but guess what? He’s back! Add to the mix a resurging Joe Savery, Jordan Dodson, Josh Rodriguez, and Brian Friday, who has been an extra-base hit machine, and suddenly, you have a very powerful Owls team. Up until recently, the Owls had to scrap to get a run. The Memphis series proved to all that this team can light up the scoreboard. You’re not going to get twenty-two runs every game—but if the bats will just stay consistent, there’s no worry that there will be any rolling blackouts at Reckling—at least not when it comes to those bats.

SOLID DEFENSE—Early in the season this was a concern, because the Owls would play errorless ball one night and then have five the next night. But as the season wore on, so did Coach Wayne Graham’s influence. Right now, the Owls are playing the best defense they have played all year. Travis Reagan and Danny Lehmann have been solid behind the dish. The infield hasandidified==anmd Brian Friday has really come on defensively. The Owls have outfielders that can gun you down from anywhere—and they dare you to try and take the extra base, because more times than not, the opponent will find the ball waiting for them. This defense can play with any team in the country—and will.

STEPPING UP—could notoe Savery couldn’t pitch, it opened the door for several pitchers to step[ top the fore. Will McDaniel has turned out to be the answer to “Who will be the midweek starter?” McDaniel has done a very good job in that spot. Craig Crow was given an opportunity, and he has not disappointed the feathered flock. And who could have possibly imagined Eddie Degerman stepping up the way he has? Or Cole St. Clair? Or Bobby Bell? We can’t leave out Bobby Bramhall in this, either.

CONSISTENT PLAY OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY—There are other names that deserve mentioning here. Tyler Henley has been a catalyst for the Owls on offense, and his defense and arm have been spectacular. One player that is easy to overlook—but should not be—is Danny “Clutch” Lehmann. Danny has come through in critical situations, especially with his bat (remember the Grand slam at College Station?). Greg Buchanan is quietly playing great baseball at the moment. There have been other key contributors, like Chad Lembeck, whose key hits, good base running, and strong arm have contributed to the success of this team. Kenny Ford has a keen eye at the plate and drawn crucial walks, not to mention scoring some important runs.

So here the Owls come to the final weeks of the regular season. Can Degerman, Bell, and Crow maintain the consistency they have displayed to this point? Will Joe Savery be able to rejoin the rotation—or at least help in relief? Can the bats stay consistent and provide pitchers like Degerman, Bell, and Crow—not to mention McDaniel—some runs and a lead to work with? If those questions are answered yes in the final weeks, look out—this team will be very dangerous. There’s no question that the talent is there. There’s also no question that this team is able to win a close game or a blow-out. They have also proven they can take on the very best in Division I and win (ask Oklahoma, Nebraska, Cal State Fullerton, and others). The only question is “Will they do it?”—not “Can they do it?” That second question has been answered affirmatively.

This weekend’s Rice-UH matchup has the potential to be very revealing. Can Rice play with the big boys? If you haven’t gotten that answer yet, you will in this series. Don’t let a sea of red dominate the crowds this weekend. Come out and show your support for a very talented—and top-ranked—Owls this weekend.