Rice up 2-1 after 2. if we can’t win this one, well you fill in the blanks.

Did not enjoy the Owls watching three straight strikes to end the 3rd with Owls on first and second… Not sure what our approach is.

Truly bizarre lineup, with Reidel at SS, Royo at 3B, and Max Johnson at 1B?? Johnson remains 0-fer the season, but at least he drove in a run with a sac fly in the 2nd. Update: still 0-for the season after lining out in the 4th (but decent contact, so getting there). 4th ends with another K with an Owl in scoring position (swinging at least). Still 2-1 going into the top of the 5th.

Owls getting to the PVAM bullpen in the 5th, with Manny and Gallo singling, Rank moving over with a bunt (which I will say, we have looked much better bunting tonight), and then Becker (who else) driving both in with a double. Now 4-1, and Johnson up with Owls on 1st and 2nd after a walk…..

Becker inexplicably takes off way too early on a 3-2 pitch, before the pitcher begins his motion, and gets tagged out at 3B after a pickoff rundown. What are we doing. Now Johnson pops out to end the inning. The 0-fer the season streak continues….

Max Johnson getting yet another start. Up to a cool 0-22 to start the season. He’d have to rip off 6 straight hits to get to a .200 batting average.

(03-05-2024 09:05 PM)Swede Owl Wrote:  Owls getting to the PVAM bullpen in the 5th, with Manny and Gallo singling, Rank moving over with a bunt (which I will say, we have looked much better bunting tonight), and then Becker (who else) driving both in with a double. Now 4-1, and Johnson up with Owls on 1st and 2nd after a walk…..

Becker inexplicably takes off way too early on a 3-2 pitch, before the pitcher begins his motion, and gets tagged out at 3B after a pickoff rundown. What are we doing. Now Johnson pops out to end the inning. The 0-fer the season streak continues….

Why was Becker running on a 3-2 pitch with only one out? He's one of the slowest guys on the team. Did Jose really call a double steal in that situation, with strikeout prone Johnson at the plate? Seriously?

As to the lineup, Jose is just screwing with the players minds at this point. WTH is Reidel doing at SS and Royo at 3B? And I still don't get why Cummings is in purgatory. And Becker has hit left-hand pitching solidly this season. Don't get why he was not in the starting lineup as he's been far and away our best and most consistent hitter this year. But I guess we just have to find a way to keep 0.000 (0-23) in the lineup. The good news is that it appears both Rant and Royo have broken out of their slumps. Both hit line shot outs in addition to their hits tonight.

On the mound, great to see Mayo finally throwing strikes. He does have good stuff if he can only minimize the walks and HBPs.

Why did Jose hold up Reidel at 3B on a single up the middle? He should have been able to score easily.

Becker up with the bases loaded, 2 outs, with Rice leading 5-1. Not surprisingly, PVAM brings in the left-hander.

Wild pitch scores one. Then Becker walks to reload the bases for Royo. Chance to break this game wide open...Two quick strikes...popped up.

Why do we continue to take the first pitch strike? Over and over and over again.

Mayo dealing. Perfect three innings of relief.

Johnson gets on with a HBP….but gets thrown out attempting to steal in the bottom of the 7th. Strikeout and pop out ends the inning. On to the 8th up 6-1

Clean 1-2-3 8th for Mauricio

For the 9th, Motley in at 3rd, Royo moves back to SS, and Reidel moves over to 2B. Dukes in at LF. Mauricio stays in to pitch the 9th

Poor Johnson cannot catch a break, he lands awkwardly on a high throw on a slow roller to SS, and falls grabbing his calf in pain.

Owls complete the win 6-1, but looks like Johnson might be injured.

Combined two hitter. Pitching wasn’t bad but we still aren’t hitting well enough to win conference games.

Feelings regarding hiring David Pierce after he is fired by Texas (which seems more likely game by game as they head to the SEC). Of course would he he even want the job now?

(03-06-2024 09:36 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Feelings regarding hiring David Pierce after he is fired by Texas (which seems more likely game by game as they head to the SEC). Of course would he he even want the job now?

Would hire Pierce without question, but then again, I would have hired Hallmark the last time.

(03-06-2024 09:37 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:36 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Feelings regarding hiring David Pierce after he is fired by Texas (which seems more likely game by game as they head to the SEC). Of course would he he even want the job now?

Would hire Pierce without question, but then again, I would have hired Hallmark the last time.

What makes y’all think there will be an opening at Rice?

(03-06-2024 09:50 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:37 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:36 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Feelings regarding hiring David Pierce after he is fired by Texas (which seems more likely game by game as they head to the SEC). Of course would he he even want the job now?

Would hire Pierce without question, but then again, I would have hired Hallmark the last time.

What makes y’all think there will be an opening at Rice?

Never said there would be. My guess is the Jose gets at least one more year (2025) to turn it around.

(03-06-2024 09:37 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:36 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Feelings regarding hiring David Pierce after he is fired by Texas (which seems more likely game by game as they head to the SEC). Of course would he he even want the job now?

Would hire Pierce without question, but then again, I would have hired Hallmark the last time.

If we have a coaching vacancy in May…
If Pierce loses his job in May…
If he would entertain coming back to Rice…
If we can meet his salary request..

A lot of ifs there, but I think he would be an incredible get for this program.

(03-06-2024 09:51 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:50 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:37 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:36 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Feelings regarding hiring David Pierce after he is fired by Texas (which seems more likely game by game as they head to the SEC). Of course would he he even want the job now?

Would hire Pierce without question, but then again, I would have hired Hallmark the last time.

What makes y’all think there will be an opening at Rice?

Never said there would be. My guess is the Jose gets at least one more year (2025) to turn it around.

I suspect you are right. I expect the embarrassing last few days for UT baseball have supporters looking to move on sooner rather than later from Pierce, and I’m certain David will be scooped up long before the glacial moving Rice Admin pulls the trigger on Cruz.

Having said that, I would be thrilled to have Pierce or Hallmark back at Rice.

Why would you keep Cruz another year if this is another disaster year. Brag was let go after his third year I think.

(03-06-2024 09:51 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:50 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:37 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 09:36 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Feelings regarding hiring David Pierce after he is fired by Texas (which seems more likely game by game as they head to the SEC). Of course would he he even want the job now?

Would hire Pierce without question, but then again, I would have hired Hallmark the last time.

What makes y’all think there will be an opening at Rice?

Never said there would be. My guess is the Jose gets at least one more year (2025) to turn it around.