As I'm traveling the next 10 days, it's unlikely I'll be unable to prepare previews until the conference tournament in a couple weeks (but I will try to provide links and tid bits time permitting).


For Wednesday's game, we can ill-afford a loss if we hope to keep our RPi in the Top 10. The HBU Huskies come into Reckling with a 22-22 overall record (8-13 on road, 4-8 vs. Top 100, #159 ISR, #166 RPI, #167 SoS)....but they've won six of their last nine games, including a weekend series victory over Lamar (which took us to school our last meeting). They've also beaten UTSA twice already this year. So, let's not take them lightly. Here's their schedule and results to date...
http://warrennolan.com/baseball/2014/sch...on-Baptist

Offensively, they're hitting .300/.370/.369 as a team, with 8 HRs, 41-53 stolen bases and averaging 5.0 runs per game. The Huskies have 6 regulars hitting .297 or better, led by Curtis Jones (.371/.397/.397, 5 doubles, 21 RBIs, 5-7 SBs) and Jordan McCoy (354/.411/.486, 4 HRs, 9 doubles/triples, 28 RBIs). These guys deploy the small ball game on every occassion-- 38 sac bunts, 41 - 53 stolen bases (with everyone in the lineup with at least 2 SBs).

They're a bit vulnerable defensively, posting a fielding percentage of just .957, and having committed 72 errors. However, their catcher has thrown out just under 50% of attempted base stealers.

Here's HBU's individual/team stats...
http://www.hbuhuskies.com/custompages/BB...amcume.htm

According to The OG, Chase McDowell will get the start both vs. HBU and UH next Tuesday. JP indicated HBU will be starting Jr RHP Ross Kennell...

11 app, 7 starts, 2-4, 40.1 IP, 7.59 ERA, .357 BAA, 60 hits, 16 BBs, 7 HBP, 14 Ks

...yes, he's the absolute worst pitcher on the staff; meaning they'll likely go all-staff. Obviously, not a strikeout pitcher, as he averaged just one strikeout every 3 innings of work....and VERY hittable.

Let's score often and early. It would be helpful if we could save Teykl and Ditman for the weekend.

(05-05-2014 08:07 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  ...yes, he's the absolute worst pitcher on the staff; meaning they'll likely go all-staff. Obviously, not a strikeout pitcher, as he averaged just one strikeout every 3 innings of work....and VERY hittable.

I've heard this story before, and it doesn't always work out well for us.

(05-05-2014 08:15 PM)That Guy 2012 Wrote:  

(05-05-2014 08:07 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  ...yes, he's the absolute worst pitcher on the staff; meaning they'll likely go all-staff. Obviously, not a strikeout pitcher, as he averaged just one strikeout every 3 innings of work....and VERY hittable.

I've heard this story before, and it doesn't always work out well for us.

Not a lot of strikeouts huh? Paging Nolan Ryan...

Your headline is very confusing because we play Houston Baptist and not Dallas Baptist.

HBU needs to save its top pitchers as they're in a real fight for the last couple of qualifying spots for the Southland Conference tournament (and they play Sam Houston State this weekend). They're 2 games behind Lamar for 7th and 1 game behind Oral Roberts for 8th (with 8 teams getting into their tournament), so I really don't think they'll be able to pitch their weekend guys very much.

(05-06-2014 05:47 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Your headline is very confusing because we play Houston Baptist and not Dallas Baptist.

HBU needs to save its top pitchers as they're in a real fight for the last couple of qualifying spots for the Southland Conference tournament (and they play Sam Houston State this weekend). They're 2 games behind Lamar for 7th and 1 game behind Oral Roberts for 8th (with 8 teams getting into their tournament), so I really don't think they'll be able to pitch their weekend guys very much.

They do have a good and deep bullpen, with three guys each of whom have 12+ appearances and ERAs under 2.25. Having said that, it's very hard to judge their stats given their #169 SoS.

(05-06-2014 05:47 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Your headline is very confusing because we play Houston Baptist and not Dallas Baptist.

HBU needs to save its top pitchers as they're in a real fight for the last couple of qualifying spots for the Southland Conference tournament (and they play Sam Houston State this weekend). They're 2 games behind Lamar for 7th and 1 game behind Oral Roberts for 8th (with 8 teams getting into their tournament), so I really don't think they'll be able to pitch their weekend guys very much.

I guess one person's Dallas is another person's Houston.

(05-06-2014 09:30 AM)Ranger Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 05:47 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Your headline is very confusing because we play Houston Baptist and not Dallas Baptist.

I guess one person's Dallas is another person's Houston.

Hey, ya seen one giant pile of asphalt 3 hours away from Austin, ya seen 'em all, right?

(05-06-2014 09:30 AM)Ranger Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 05:47 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Your headline is very confusing because we play Houston Baptist and not Dallas Baptist.

HBU needs to save its top pitchers as they're in a real fight for the last couple of qualifying spots for the Southland Conference tournament (and they play Sam Houston State this weekend). They're 2 games behind Lamar for 7th and 1 game behind Oral Roberts for 8th (with 8 teams getting into their tournament), so I really don't think they'll be able to pitch their weekend guys very much.

I guess one person's Dallas is another person's Houston.

or all Baptists look alike?

Going into the home stretch, Rice's national rankings are as follows (according to Boyd this morning):

#5 RPI
#10 SoS
#13 ISR

...but UH showed yesterday what even a win to a sub-200 RPI team can do, as they dropped from #7 to #10 after an easy home win over Prairie View. We can ill-afford a let-down to either HBU tonight or LaTech next weekend. CUSA magic number over UAB is 4 games. Let's clinch it this weekend!

Can't wait to see what JC and Shane can do when back to 100% healthy, but if we're going to get our offense on track-- finally-- we need Michael Aquino to snap out of his year-long doldrums, and start producing as he did last year.

Equally important, if not moreso, we need Chase McDowell to regain his form and consistency on the mound that he displayed earlier this year. This is especially true with Lemond still out, and The OG telling Kendall earlier this week that "it's highly unlikely Lemond will start again this year". Of course, if Zech comes back in the conference tourney and demonstrates that he can be his lights out former self out of the pen, it will give The OG the luxury of using either Ditman or Teykl as a starter come the post-season.

BTW, according to the Prez' tweet last night, tonight is Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at Reckling. Hopefully, we'll have a nice crowd on hand to both show our appreciation, and welcome the boys back to the field. Go Owls!

Quote:David Leebron‏@davidleebron·7 hrs
Tomorrow (Wed.) is Faculty & Staff Appreciation nite at Reckling! http://news.rice.edu/2014/04/28/cheer-on...ght-may-7/ … Come relax w/ friends & family & cheer on the Owls!