RE: Rice vs. TAMU-CC (3-12-14)
Thank you, Matty-- no dramatics...and you did it so efficiently it should have no impact on your availability on Friday.
Ugly, ugly game (and so much for our great pitching stats, as they'll balloon after this one), but it was a trap game, and we did find a way to pull it out. A win is a win is a win.
Game Ball #1: The heart of our batting order-- Skyler Ewing (4-4, sac fly, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Michael Aquino (2-5, game-tying triple, 1 run, 1 RBI), the red hot JC Reeves (4-5, 2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBIs)-- came through each and every time we fell behind. They wouldn't let us lose.
Game Ball #2: Charlie Warren (3-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs)-- two of his hits were of the infield variety and the third was a bloop, but they got the job done, and kept rallies going.
Game Ball #3: Matt Ditman (Save #3, 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 BBs, 0 Ks), who mercifully and quickly closed the door and put the nail in the Islanders' coffin.
Honorable mention-- just about everyone else in the lineup. A season-high 22 hits (4 for extra bases), with 7 players enjoying multiple hit games. I just wish we'd work the count a bit more, and showed a bit more plate discipline. Against elite pitching, you simply have to make them work if you hope to get to them. We had just a single walk today (and Byrd took two HBPs), and rarely worked deep into the count. This needs to improve.
Safe travels tomorrow down to Miami. HUGE weekend upcoming against the 16-1 FIU Golden Panthers, who rank in the Top 10 nationally in virtually every single offensive and pitching statistic. Yes, they've played a relatively easy schedule, but we're kidding ourselves if we underestimate these guys-- they're a legitimate Top 25 - 35 caliber team, and appear to be our toughest competition for the conference crown. Time to once again be road warriors. Go Owls!
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