RE: Rice vs ODU
Matt struggled in the 9th (back-to-back singles to leadoff the inning, then saved by a diving catch in CF by Williamson), but escapes unscathed. Appeared he totally ran out of gas. Important win.
Game Ball #1: Zech Lemond (W, 2-0, 6.2 IP, 2 singles, 1 run, 0 ER, 3 BBs, 1 HBP, 10 Ks)-- is now a perfect 2-0 as a starter. Impressive outing against a quality offensive club. Had a no-hitter through the first 5 innings, and set a career high in strikeouts.
Game Ball #2: Matt Ditman (Save #2, 2.1 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 BBs, 3 Ks) in his first game assuming the role of both stopper (he got a 3 pitch strikeout to strand two baserunners in the Top of the 7th) and closer. Well done.
Game Ball #3: Leon Byrd (3-4, double, 3 RBIs), who has now hit well in two consecutive games, with the game-winner in the very first inning.
Honorable mention: John Williamson for his potential game-saving catch in the 9th, with two runners on and no outs.
Once again-- great pitching and defense, but a struggling offense. We got lucky tonight thanks to the early wildness of ODU's starter and a timely double by Byrd, but the offense has to get back on track, and quickly.
One down; two to go. Let's take two tomorrow! Bullpen could be a little thin, without both Lemond and Ditman (and, presume, Rutter, as well); meaning we really need Teykl, Smith, McCarthy and the Orewilers to step up...and we need our starters (Fox and McCanna/Duplantier) to go at least 6 innings each. Go Owls!
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