More Pics From Saturday (Photos by Mark Anderson)

Joe Savery found himself on the ground after being run into while catching a pop-up.
Coach Graham shows the umps what the "out" sign is for interference.
Luna slides home with another run for the Owls.
Dodson puts the bat on the ball during this bunt attempt.

More Pics From Saturday (Photos by Mark Anderson)

Matt Langwell turned in a stellar performance in relief of Ryan Berry.
Luna takes off for third after an throwing error. . . .
And slides into third safely.
Chad Lembeck slides home with the go-ahead run in the 6 run inning against the Huskers.
Diego Seastrunk had fun with this wind-blown pop-up.

Owls Get It Rolling Against the Huskers (Photos by Mark Anderson)

Joe Savery doubles to left on this pitch.

Diego Seastrunk scores as one gets away from the Husker catcher.










Jess Buenger was a big key to the Owls' comeback Saturday.










Buenger taken out at second on a double play attempt.

Owls Storm Back to Win Over Huskers

By Mark Anderson

On a day that started out looking rather gloomy, and even gloomier after the first two innings, the Rice Owls stormed back from a 5-0 deficit to win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers by a score of 9-5.

Ryan Berry simply wasn’t on today. He left after 1 2/3 innings after giving up 7 hits and two walks. But Matt Langwell and Ryan Tacker combined to throw 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball to help give the Owls their chance at victory.

"I just had to attack the strike zone and make my defense work," Langwell said afterwards. "They were finding holes at first, but I knoew it wasn't going to happen all day. I need to throw strikes and let my defense work and we got out of there."

"The offense got us a four run lead there," Tacker said of his performance, "and I just threw strikes and let the defense play." Tacker pointed back to Matt Langwell's performance. "Langwell came in and set the tone, and I just had to come in and finish it up."

In spite of Berry not being on today, Coach Wayne Graham seemed pleased with his team's effort. "I think we're starting to swing the bat a lot better," Graham said afterwards. "Buenger had some great at-bats, and I think that it inspired everybody. That young freshman in there Seastrunk is doing a great job, and we're starting to hit. We swung the bat well."

Graham was also pleased with the relief performances of Langwell and Tacker. "Langwell did a great job, and of course, Tacker's done a great job all year," Graham said. "Tacker's really been good."

In the fourth inning, the Rice offense exploded for 6 runs to re-take the lead they would never again relinquish. Brian Friday opened the fourth with a double, and Diego Seastrunk followed with a single that moved Friday to third. Joe Savery, fresh off last night’s walk-off homer, followed with a double to left that brought Friday home and sent Seastrunk to third. Seastrunk came home on a passed ball with Luna at the plate. Luna walked to put runners on first and third. That brought one of the key at-bats of the game in Jess Buenger. He grounded to third, and Savery made Tezak think he was going home. When Tezak threw to home, Savery retreated to third momentarily. Lanning fired to first, but Buenger was safe. Brown threw to second to try and get Luna, but a poor throw allowed Luna not only second base, but third as well. After Gayhart struck out, Lembeck reached on a fielder’s choice, and Buenger advanced to second. With Danny Lehmann at the plate with the bases loaded, Shrirek unloaded a wild pitch that scored Luna, and moved up Lembeck and Buenger. After Lehmann lined out to second, Henley walked to load the bases again. Brian Friday was hit by a pitch to score another run, and then Lembeck scored on yet another wild pitch by the Huskers to take a 6-5 lead.

Joe Savery was also pleased to see the Owl offense break out. "When the other team has got a lead like that, they're going to come after you with fastballs," Savery explained afterwards. "So we were looking for pitches to hit, and got a couple of breaks and errors. Today we took advantage of them."

With Langwell settling in, it was all over for the Huskers. They made a few clawing attempts to get back in the game, but a two run sixth and another in the seventh made it uphill sledding.

One thing the Owls didn't do was let down when Berry was taken out of the game. "No, we didn't," Savery said, "and obviously, this is a great win for us."

"We came in and Berry had a rough day, amnd those things are going to happen," Aaron Luna commented afterwards. "Hes' been great for us. So we knew that we had enough time, and we've been swinging the bat a lot better, so we had enough time to come back."

Joe Savery takes the mound tomorrow for the Owls against Texas A & M—Corpus Christi. First pitch for the Owls will be 3:30pm.

(Pictures either tonight or tomorrow.)

BERRY-MANIA TODAY VS. HUSKERS

by Mark Anderson

BERRY-MANIA returns to Reckling Park this afternoon at 1 pm against the Huskers.

For those of you who have had your head buried in the proverbial sand, this is a can't-miss game. Ryan Berry has quickly become a fan favorite, especially of the students. RY-AN BER-RY! RY-AN BER-RY! will be heard throughout the ballpark today. That's what we're referring to as "Berry-mania."

BERRY-MANIA--have you caught it yet? Come out to Reckling and be a part of it!

JOE SWINGS. . . AND IT IS OUT OF HERE!

Joe swings. . . . and the Rice Owls WIN!

Celebration at home plate as Bobby Bramhall hugs Jordan Dodson.

Owls Slam Owls on Savery HR in Ninth, 4-2

By Mark Anderson

The Rice Owls, who came in at 6-4, showed the upstart Florida Atlantic Owls (whose record was 9-0) whose nest they were in as they came back in the ninth inning to win over the Florida Atlantic Owls by a score of 4-2.

Pitcher Chris Kelly started off the game hot. Block had a 3-2 count on him before he even swung the bat, fouled off a few, then was frozen on a Kelly delivery for strike three. Bombeck followed it with a deep fly to right, but Widlansky worked a two out walk. But McKenna hit a soft fly to Henley to end the inning.

Things got rolling for Rice in the second inning when Luna doubled to right to open the inning. Buenger grounded out to second, moving Luna to third and bringing up Diego Seastrunk. But the real adventure happened on a 1-1 count. “I missed the signal actually,” Seastrunk confessed after the ballgame. “I missed the squeeze bunt and Coach Graham called me over. . . He told me to hit the ball hard.”

Diego did hit it hard—right over the blue Raymond James sign for a homerun to put Rice up, 2-0.

In the sixth, Florida Atlantic creeped back into the game when Widlansky doubled to left with one out. He moved to third on a wild pitch by Kelly, and scored as McKenena grounded out to Friday at short to make the score 2-1.

Florida Atlantic tied it in the seventh when Cook led off with a single, and Martin followed with another single. With Bramhall replacing Kelly on the mound, Ferreria then did his best impersonation of the 1975 Red Sox-Reds bunt and ran into the catcher. Home plate umpire Greg Oros ruled Ferreria out on interference, and the runner could not score from third. Ararta then hit the ball sharply to Seastrunk, who started what looked like a double play, only to be ruled safe at first with Cook scoring the tying run.

The bottom of the ninth may well be remembered as the inning that got the Owls rolling this season. Henley doubled off the second base bag and bounced away. After failing to sacrifice Henley over, Friday struck out. Henley advanced to third when Salberg committed an error. With the squeeze on, Dodson missed with the bunt, and it hung Henley out to dry (which would have been a good thing at that point considering the rain falling). Henley was tagged out. That left Dodson wearing the goat horns—but not for long. He doubled down the right field line to bring up Joe Savery.

Everyone in Rice Owl country knows the struggles Joe Savery has had this early part of the year. Well, on a 2-1 count, Savery swung—and the crowd rose to their feet as the ball began rising and carried over centerfield for a two-run homer to win the game.

So how did Savery come through?

“Just relaxing,” Savery said after the ballgame. “We had a tough time. We’re just not very good at situational hitting right now. We mess up a squeeze, Tyler had a lead-off triple and we didn’t get him in. It’s one of those things. As bad as it was going, you’re probably going to fail anyway, so why not relax?”

But Joe knew one thing in that at-bat that made the difference tonight. “I knew what he wanted to give me, and that was his curve ball,” Joe told the blog. “So I was looking for that and got one.”

Joe got it all right—and sent that baby packing.

It was a great team win for the Rice Owls on Friday night at Reckling. The Owls--weather permitting—face the Nebraska Cornhuskers tomorrow at 1:00pm. Berry-mania continues tomorrow as Ryan Berry takes the hill against Charlie Shirek of the Huskers.

Owls Berry LBS Behind Team Win

By Mark Anderson

The Rice Owls came out on Saturday relaxed and had the breakout game they were looking for as they beat the Dirtbags by a score of 11-2.

The first key to this game was intensity. Brian Friday said afterwards, “I just think the intensity level was a lot higher. It had a big difference in the way we swung the bat today.” Joe Savery also pointed out that in the locker room, “We were just saying, ‘Guys, our talent didn't disappear overnight.’”

Coach Graham alluded to the same thing. “Heck, Barry Bonds and Lance Berkman have gone a month without hitting well. It will come—we’ve just got to be patient, be a team, and work at it. Those are the things that win for you.”

The second key to this game was the pitching of Ryan Berry. Berry was dominating in this outing, going 71/3 innings, while giving up seven hits in route to fanning eight. The key to Berry’s performance, according to Berry, was location. “Unlike last week,” Berry said, “I couldn’t throw my fastball for a strike, so I went with my off-speed, and in the later innings—the sixth, seventh, and eighth—I threw my fastball over.”

Graham was obviously pleased with Berry’s performance. “We thought in the fall he would be outstanding, and so far, he’s been according to prophecy.”

Of course it didn’t hurt that the bats were as warm as the weather. Chad Lembeck had 3 RBIs. Joe Savery had a double and an RBI. But the unquestioned leader of the hit parade was Aaron Luna, with a triple and a home run, driving in four runs in the process. Tyler Henley also had a great day at the plate, going two for three with two runs scored and a HBP to boot.

The Owls opened the scoring in the third inning when Padron had an infield single and Henley followed with a solid single. Friday sacrificed the runners up a base. Lembeck followed with a double that brought both runners home. Zornes followed with a single, but Lembeck was thrown out at the plate, and Savery grounded out to end the inning, but Rice had a lead they would never relinquish, 2-0.

Long Beach answered with a run of its’ own in the top of the fourth when Kyle Morgan homered to right center with one out to put the Dirtbags on the board. Rice would answer in the bottom of the fourth when Aaron Luna led off with a home run of his own to make the score 3-1.

Long Beach State would come back the top of the fifth when Godfrey singled to open the inning and Cline singled to move Godfrey to third. Perry hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2, Owls.

But that’s as close as the Dirtbags would come to the lead on this day. In the sixth, Zornes was hit by a pitch, and Myers ran for him. After LBS changed pitchers, Savery promptly doubled to right, driving in Myers. After Luna struck out, Jess Buenger, pinch-hitting for Reagan, grounded out to first, but Savery moved up to third. Gayhart pinch hit for Dodson and drew a walk. But the rally ended when Padron struck out, leaving the score at 4-2.

But the Owls were not finished. In the seventh, Henley led off with a single, and that’s when it got interesting. David Roberts became pre-occupied with Henley at first. Matter of fact, he became so pre-occupied that he actually missed the throw from the catcher, which allowed Henley to move up to second on the error as Friday struck out. Lembeck drew a walk, and Seastrunk pinch-hit for Myers and struck out. Roberts issued the “unintentional-intentional” walk to Savery, bringing up Luna. BIG mistake! Luna cleared the bases with a triple to right center field, and the Owls were never in any danger after that. Gayhart struck out swinging, but it was now 7-2 Owls.

“They all but intentionally walked me,” Savery said, “and he [Luna] comes up behind me and hits a triple into the gap. There was a lot of clutch hitting today, and their tactics didn’t help them out today.”

Just when the Dirtbags thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did in the eighth. Dustin Rasco was brought on in the bottom of the eighth, and his first pitch drilled Padron. His second pitch drilled Henley. His third pitch drilled Friday in the head. He then walked Chad Lembeck to drive in run number eight. Diego Seastunk then hit a bases clearing triple to center to enlarge the lead to 11-2.

The Owls wrapped up the weekend with a 2-1 win over the Dirtbags, with Jordan Dodson getting the game-winning RBI. Up for the Owls on Tuesday is Dallas Baptist University, followed this weekend by Florida Atlantic, Nebraska, and Texas A & M-Corpus Christi.

The Hits Kept Coming (Mark Anderson pics)

Tyler Henley scurries to second as the return throw from Howell eluded the pitcher, setting off howls in the stands.
OUCH! Brian Friday was the third straight hitter to get hit to lead off the eighth--the ball bounced right off his noggin.
After a bases loaded walk to Lembeck, Seastrunk crushed this pitch for a triple.

Pics From Saturday's LSB Game II (Mark Anderson photos)

Lembeck tries diving past Howell












Howell applies the tag while Lembeck stretches in vain for home plate.



Lembeck tagged out as his hand is not on the plate.






Friday flips to Luna for the force, but the throw was wide and pulled Luna off the bag.

Pictures From Saturday Part I (Mark Anderson photos)

Ryan Berry baffled the Dirtbag hitters, striking out eight.



Tyler Henley singles sharply.
Chad Lembeck doubles to right centerfield on this swing.

Adam Zornes followed Lembeck's double with a single--unfortunately, the throw beat Lembeck to the plate.
Joe Savery singles to drive in a run on this swing.

Other Pics From Friday's Game With LBS (Photos by Mark Anderson)

This pitch was just a lil on the low side.





Diego Seastrunk pegs out a Dirtbag at first.









Chad Lembeck strokes the ball.


ABOVE: Daniel Cooper manages a smile watching fan
BELOW: Jared Gayhart singles in 2 runs.

Yeeeeeerrrr OUT! (pics by Mark Anderson)

Danny Lehmann gets the throw from Luna and blocks the way to the plate
Lehmann applies a rather unusual tag; notice that the runner's hand, while close to the plate, is not ON the plate
Lehmann does some aerobics while the runner still looks for the plate
Lehmann holds up the ball for the umpire to see he still has possession of it

Owls Lose in 11 to Dirtbags on Bad Breaks

By Mark Anderson

Reckling Park, February 16—There’s an old country song that says, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Right now, that seems to be the Owls’ theme song.

Friday night was the perfect example of no luck at all—OK, almost no luck at all. In the fourth inning, the Owls pulled off one of the most unusual triple plays when, with runners on first and second, Espinosa hit a fly ball to right. After Lembeck caught the ball, the Dirtbag version of “Keystone Cops” and “Who’s on First?” ensued. Peterson was doubled off first, and Corder made another base running blunder to get himself tagged out for the third out.

It seemed that the Owls would have the luck this night when the Owls put the first run on the board. Jess Buenger opened with a single, and Joe Savery doubled down the left field line that scored Buenger. But Seastrunk struck out and Lembeck flied out to end the rally, leaving the score 1-0.

But the Dirtbags rallied in the top of the 5th. Jess Buenger bobbled a ground ball from Tinoco to open things up. Tweedy followed with a double that moved Tinoco to third. Masuda was then hit by a Chris Kelley pitch, loading the bases for Cline. His single drove in the tying run, but Luna’s throw nailed Tweedy at home. That commenced one of the longest arguments by Mike Weathers that someone like Lou Pinella or Billy Martin would have been proud of. It actually became so long that Coach Graham actually had a little argument of his own going with the first base umpire, presumably to get the game going again. After the long delay, Perry singled to drive in another run to make the score 2-1, Dirtbags.

In the seventh, it seemed like the Owls had found a little luck. With one out, Lembeck singled. Danny Lehmann doubled to right, sending Lembeck to third. Coach Graham pulled Lehmann for pinch runner Derek Myers. The move paid off when Jared Gayhart stepped to the plate and singled up the middle, scoring both runners, giving the Owls a 3-2 lead.

But a bad break was just around the corner for the Owls—literally and otherwise. Bramhall got two outs quickly, but then Corder doubled down the left field line. After Espinosa walked, Tinoco hit a screeching line drive at Dodson, who had come in as a defensive replacement. As Dodson reached for the ball, the ball went through his glove for an error that scored pinch runner Nelson from second. Normally Dodson makes that play—but got a bad break (literally) at the worst possible time. It also ended Bramhall’s evening, one that he had performed admirably under the circumstances.

Jared Gayhart was brought in to relieve Bramhall. And talk about someone who got a bad break—it was Gayhart. He had driven in the tying and go-ahead runs. And he pitched very well in the very cold conditions, giving up no hits in 2 1/3 innings.

So how was he tagged with a loss?

Remember that pesky guy Ticono? He led off the eleventh with a walk. Gayhart promptly picked him off—only to get a bad break by the umpire calling him safe. If Ticono is out, then the eleventh inning takes on a whole new dimension. Instead, Tweedy followed with another walk. That brought up pinch-hitter A.J. Pinocchio to face Kyle Gunderson. Pinoccchio grounded to short, moving up the lead runner. Matt Cline then grounded to Buenger, who bobbled the ball in order to let the winning run score.

So, without a hit being given up, the winning run scored. Talk about bad luck. . . . that is the epitome of it.

But tomorrow is another day. CUSA pitcher of the week Ryan Berry takes the hill at 2 pm to get the Owls off the schnied and into the win column. It’s supposed to be a much better day, weather wise. Come out and root the Owls on to victory against the Dirtbags.

Rice Rotation vs. Long Beach State Announced

by Mark Anderson

Rice (ranked #6) has announced its' rotation for the upcoming weekend series against #20 ranked Long Beach State. Here's the likely rotations and the times:

Friday, 4 pm: Chris Kelley (0-0, 1.23 ERA) vs. Vance Worley (0-0, 3.75 ERA)
Saturday, 2 pm: Ryan Berry (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Manny McElroy (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
Sunday, 1 pm: Joe Savery (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Omar Arif (1-1, 1.86 ERA)

Friday's game is supposed to be in the mid to upper 50's, but Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be better weather-wise.

More Pics vs. A & M Sunday

Bobby Bramhall follows through on a stellar night for him.

Tyler Henley drills a shot--unfortunately, right at first base in this swing.
Joe Savery gets ready to deliver another pitch.

Pics From Sunday's Rice vs. Texas A& M Game

This is how you turn a double play quickly, as Brian Friday demonstrated twice Sunday.

Aaron Luna flips to first to get the out.

Faces From Saturday's Game

Aaron Luna

Tyler Henley

Pics From Saturday's Rice-Baylor Game

Ryan Berry gets ready to bring it.












J.P. "Paddy" Padron brings in a run with a sacrifice fly to right.












Savery drives in a run withthis swing.