The Baseball Owls, coming off a perfect 5-0 week and winners of eight of their 9 last games since the Minute Maid disappointment, make a road trip Tuesday evening (6:30pm start) to San Marcos to play a rematch with the Texas State Bobcats. For the first time in several years, the Owls find themselves ranked in the Top 5 nationally in ISR, Strength of Schedule and RPI, as well as the Top 15 in all the relevant national polls. JC Reeves was named CUSA Player of the Week (going 17-25 at the plate), and Chase McDowell was deserving of Pitcher of the Week honors (2-0, with 10 shutout innings vs. TCU and FIU). Chase has also heated up offensively, as has Ford Stainback an Leon Byrd. Blake Fox is now 4-0 on the year and a perfect 10-0 for his Rice career, while Matt Ditman and Ryan McCarthy have stepped up big time in the bullpen. Of course, Zech Lemond-- whether as closer or now as our Friday ace-- continues to pitch like the all-american he is, and is beginning to move up the draft boards.

Here's the preview I posted prior to our March 18th game vs. Texas State, in which a late Rice rally provided Coach Graham with his 1000th victory at Rice...
http://csnbbs.com/thread-677629.html

Texas State currently boasts a 14 - 6 overall record (12-3 at home, 0-4 vs. Top 50), and is coming off a weekend sweep of Texas-Arlington. They currently have national ranks of: #70 ISR, #123 RPI and #162 SoS. Here's their schedule and results to date...
http://warrennolan.com/baseball/2014/sch...exas-State

Their starting pitching has carried them so far this season, as their offense has really struggled. As a team they are hitting just .259/.3355/.338 and averaging 5.3 runs/game. Their three top hitters are: Granger Studdard (.345/.455/.455, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs), Tyler Pearson (.317/.429/.508, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs) and Garrett Mattlace (.290/.409/.389, 1 HR, 13 RBIs, 5-6 SBs).

On the mound, this team has ridden their three weekend starters and a relied predominantly on only a couple relievers. Since we had such a difficult time squaring up against him a month ago, I'd expect to see Fr LHP Tyler Davenport getting his second start of the year against us (7 app, 1 start, 0-1, 14.2 IP, 3.68 ERA, .338 BAA, 7 BBs, 11 Ks)...and expect to see both their set-up man So LHP Corey Geisler (8 app, 2-0, 16.1 IP, 1.65 ERA, .167 BAA, 4 BBs, 6 HBPs, 13 Ks), and closer Sr RHP Hunter Lemke (14 app, 4-1, 6 saves, 18.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, .243 BAA, 2 BBs, 12 Ks). Yes, that means a steady diet of left-handed pitching until they bring in the closer, who pitches in just about every game for the Bobcats. Hopefully, our success against FIU's left-handed relievers this past weekend (Courmier, Gomez) will serve us well against southpaw pitching going forward.

Here's their individual and team stats covering their first 19 games...
http://www.txstatebobcats.com/cumestats....&year=2014

I'm guess The OG goes with "All Staff" on the mound for us against Texas State, with either Duplantier or McCanna getting the start, but with just about everyone available (including Teykl, Orewiler, McCarthy, Smith and Ditman) since we only have one midweek game this week.

Let's keep our strong road record (currently 6-1) in tact, and take care of business as we head into another important weekend vs. FAU. Keep the momentum going. Go Owls!

You can watch the game on ESPN III.

Thanks Bob!

I wonder how Texas State gets their games on ESPN3 (they do seem to have some other midweek games on too later in the year)? ESPN3 seems to be showing more college baseball games this year, but they are primarily SEC, Big 12 and some random east coast games. It sure would be nice to get into that mix somehow.

Well, according to the Texas State game notes, the Bobcats will be starting a southpaw pitcher, but saving Davenport for relief. Instead, they're going with little used Jr LHP Chad Young (3 app, 3 app, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, .333 BAA, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 3 WPs, 3 Ks). He's a big boy-- 5'11", 255 lbs. I fully expect to see left-handers Davenport and Geisler, as well. Probably means Hunter K. will be behind the dish, with JC in the DH spot in the lineup...

http://www.txstatebobcats.com/news/2014/...41733.aspx

Caleb Smith gets the start for the Owls, but again, I'd expect a VERY short leash, with literally "All Staff" ready to go and available, given no other game until Friday night.

(03-18-2014 06:58 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  I wonder how Texas State gets their games on ESPN3 (they do seem to have some other midweek games on too later in the year)? ESPN3 seems to be showing more college baseball games this year, but they are primarily SEC, Big 12 and some random east coast games. It sure would be nice to get into that mix somehow.

Jonathan Yardley gave a nice explanation in an earlier thread. Based on what he said, I'd guess that Texas State's production is at a high enough level to televise, whereas ours is not. That's just speculation on my part, though.

(02-07-2014 12:36 PM)Jonathan Yardley Wrote:  To help explain a little bit, the vast majority of games that are on ESPN3 are not produced by ESPN but by the schools. That's why you see St. John's, Kansas, and NC State on for almost every home game. They produce the broadcast (takes a serious monetary investment to produce games at a high enough level), and ESPN airs it online. The ACC has a similar deal in which the ACC Network produces the games and ESPN airs it online. (I am hoping to be on the call for a number of St. John's games this spring, having recently relocated to New York, which is one reason I keep track of this stuff.)

So ESPN's schedule mostly consists of the SEC, the ACC, and whatever schools produce broadcasts for ESPN3. With a few ESPNU offerings mixed in. Can't speak to how those games are chosen.

Hope that helps. Breadth of coverage continues to improve, but never fast enough to satisfy college baseball fans!

Texas State has worked out a contract with KXAN (NBC-Austin) to produce and broadcast a few football games, most of the men's basketball games, a few women's basketball games, and pretty much all our midweek baseball games. The games are broadcast on KBVO (KXAN News) and KNVA (CW-Austin) in Austin. All of these games have also been picked up by ESPN3.

It's not the Longhorn Network, the SEC Network, or the Notre Dame-NBC Sports deal...but it is good exposure in our market where we are constantly playing 2nd fiddle to Texas. The rumor is that next year we are trying to get the games picked up by CW-Houston, CW-Dallas, and/or CW-San Antonio.

(03-18-2014 06:52 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Thanks Bob!

Yes, thanks Bob. I never would have thought to check ESPN 3. I'll be watching.

(03-18-2014 10:07 AM)tx.state Wrote:  Texas State has worked out a contract with KXAN (NBC-Austin) to produce and broadcast a few football games, most of the men's basketball games, a few women's basketball games, and pretty much all our midweek baseball games. The games are broadcast on KBVO (KXAN News) and KNVA (CW-Austin) in Austin. All of these games have also been picked up by ESPN3.

It's not the Longhorn Network, the SEC Network, or the Notre Dame-NBC Sports deal...but it is good exposure in our market where we are constantly playing 2nd fiddle to Texas. The rumor is that next year we are trying to get the games picked up by CW-Houston, CW-Dallas, and/or CW-San Antonio.

Someone should show this initative at Rice...

I wish I could give our AD or administration all of the credit but they are mostly worthless.

Most of the weight behind this local TV deal has been from the TXST fans and alumni. After the first game they broadcasted (which was a one time deal) our fans sent hundreds of emails to the station director requesting that they come back and broadcast more of our games. That showed them the value in broadcasting our games as I'm sure they don't get hundreds of emails thanking them and requesting that they broadcast more "Everybody Loves Raymond" reruns.

(03-18-2014 07:30 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Well, according to the Texas State game notes, the Bobcats will be starting a southpaw pitcher, but saving Davenport for relief. Instead, they're going with little used Jr LHP Chad Young (3 app, 3 app, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, .333 BAA, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 3 WPs, 3 Ks). He's a big boy-- 5'11", 255 lbs. I fully expect to see left-handers Davenport and Geisler, as well. Probably means Hunter K. will be behind the dish, with JC in the DH spot in the lineup...

http://www.txstatebobcats.com/news/2014/...41733.aspx

Caleb Smith gets the start for the Owls, but again, I'd expect a VERY short leash, with literally "All Staff" ready to go and available, given no other game until Friday night.

I doubt that Hunter will be behind the plate given his performance against ODU when Graham pulled him mid-game after several passed balls.

The problem is that we've been getting baseball games on local TV, but it's Comcast sports rather than one of the local network affiliates' HD2 network. ESPN is in direct competition with Comcast Sports, in addition to having an adversarial relationship with comcast in general from a cable operator vs cable network standpoint, but ESPN has no such competitive or adversarial relationship with the local stations. Thus ESPN3 is far more likely to pick up (and be able to pick up) a game that is played on KBVO or KNVA (or in Houston, Channel 39 or KTXH) than a game on Comcast Sports.

(03-18-2014 11:17 AM)grol Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 10:07 AM)tx.state Wrote:  Texas State has worked out a contract with KXAN (NBC-Austin) to produce and broadcast a few football games, most of the men's basketball games, a few women's basketball games, and pretty much all our midweek baseball games. The games are broadcast on KBVO (KXAN News) and KNVA (CW-Austin) in Austin. All of these games have also been picked up by ESPN3.

It's not the Longhorn Network, the SEC Network, or the Notre Dame-NBC Sports deal...but it is good exposure in our market where we are constantly playing 2nd fiddle to Texas. The rumor is that next year we are trying to get the games picked up by CW-Houston, CW-Dallas, and/or CW-San Antonio.

Someone should show this initative at Rice...

At 2:00 JP tweeted that the bus is rolling to San Marcos. Go Owls! Stretch the streak.

(03-18-2014 12:36 PM)temchugh Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 07:30 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Well, according to the Texas State game notes, the Bobcats will be starting a southpaw pitcher, but saving Davenport for relief. Instead, they're going with little used Jr LHP Chad Young (3 app, 3 app, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, .333 BAA, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 3 WPs, 3 Ks). He's a big boy-- 5'11", 255 lbs. I fully expect to see left-handers Davenport and Geisler, as well. Probably means Hunter K. will be behind the dish, with JC in the DH spot in the lineup...

http://www.txstatebobcats.com/news/2014/...41733.aspx

Caleb Smith gets the start for the Owls, but again, I'd expect a VERY short leash, with literally "All Staff" ready to go and available, given no other game until Friday night.

I doubt that Hunter will be behind the plate given his performance against ODU when Graham pulled him mid-game after several passed balls.

That was one game. Hunter was behind the plate against TAMU-CC last Wednesday. Reeves cannot play every game behind the plate or he will be totally worn down by the time we hit the home stretch. And JC blew a couple strikeout throws to 1B this weekend that cost us a couple runs.

(03-18-2014 04:16 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 12:36 PM)temchugh Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 07:30 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Well, according to the Texas State game notes, the Bobcats will be starting a southpaw pitcher, but saving Davenport for relief. Instead, they're going with little used Jr LHP Chad Young (3 app, 3 app, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, .333 BAA, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 3 WPs, 3 Ks). He's a big boy-- 5'11", 255 lbs. I fully expect to see left-handers Davenport and Geisler, as well. Probably means Hunter K. will be behind the dish, with JC in the DH spot in the lineup...

http://www.txstatebobcats.com/news/2014/...41733.aspx

Caleb Smith gets the start for the Owls, but again, I'd expect a VERY short leash, with literally "All Staff" ready to go and available, given no other game until Friday night.

I doubt that Hunter will be behind the plate given his performance against ODU when Graham pulled him mid-game after several passed balls.

That was one game. Hunter was behind the plate against TAMU-CC last Wednesday. Reeves cannot play every game behind the plate or he will be totally worn down by the time we hit the home stretch. And JC blew a couple strikeout throws to 1B this weekend that cost us a couple runs.

Sorry, it was the A&M CC game where he allowed the passed balls and got pulled. If I recall correctly, A&M CC scored at least two runs as a result of balls getting past Hunter. Fortunately, Rice also scored on a passed ball. I'm sure that Hunter will catch plenty of games, but I doubt that they will be games surrounded by three off days.

(03-17-2014 10:32 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  You can watch the game on ESPN III.

For those in Austin area (ESPN3 will be blacked out):

KBVO
Broadcast channel 14, 27, or 51
Time Warner Cable digital channel 1525
Grande Communications channel 18 (SD) and channel 818 (HD)
AT&T U-verse channels 7 (SD) and 1007 (HD)
DirecTV channel 51.

(03-18-2014 06:10 PM)temchugh Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 04:16 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 12:36 PM)temchugh Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 07:30 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Well, according to the Texas State game notes, the Bobcats will be starting a southpaw pitcher, but saving Davenport for relief. Instead, they're going with little used Jr LHP Chad Young (3 app, 3 app, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, .333 BAA, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 3 WPs, 3 Ks). He's a big boy-- 5'11", 255 lbs. I fully expect to see left-handers Davenport and Geisler, as well. Probably means Hunter K. will be behind the dish, with JC in the DH spot in the lineup...

http://www.txstatebobcats.com/news/2014/...41733.aspx

Caleb Smith gets the start for the Owls, but again, I'd expect a VERY short leash, with literally "All Staff" ready to go and available, given no other game until Friday night.

I doubt that Hunter will be behind the plate given his performance against ODU when Graham pulled him mid-game after several passed balls.

That was one game. Hunter was behind the plate against TAMU-CC last Wednesday. Reeves cannot play every game behind the plate or he will be totally worn down by the time we hit the home stretch. And JC blew a couple strikeout throws to 1B this weekend that cost us a couple runs.

Sorry, it was the A&M CC game where he allowed the passed balls and got pulled. If I recall correctly, A&M CC scored at least two runs as a result of balls getting past Hunter. Fortunately, Rice also scored on a passed ball. I'm sure that Hunter will catch plenty of games, but I doubt that they will be games surrounded by three off days.

Well, I was right about JC as DH, but Ewing is behind the dish, with Taylor at 1B. Risky since Taylor is anything but an experienced 1B.

(03-18-2014 06:37 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 06:10 PM)temchugh Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 04:16 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 12:36 PM)temchugh Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 07:30 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Well, according to the Texas State game notes, the Bobcats will be starting a southpaw pitcher, but saving Davenport for relief. Instead, they're going with little used Jr LHP Chad Young (3 app, 3 app, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, .333 BAA, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 3 WPs, 3 Ks). He's a big boy-- 5'11", 255 lbs. I fully expect to see left-handers Davenport and Geisler, as well. Probably means Hunter K. will be behind the dish, with JC in the DH spot in the lineup...

http://www.txstatebobcats.com/news/2014/...41733.aspx

Caleb Smith gets the start for the Owls, but again, I'd expect a VERY short leash, with literally "All Staff" ready to go and available, given no other game until Friday night.

I doubt that Hunter will be behind the plate given his performance against ODU when Graham pulled him mid-game after several passed balls.

That was one game. Hunter was behind the plate against TAMU-CC last Wednesday. Reeves cannot play every game behind the plate or he will be totally worn down by the time we hit the home stretch. And JC blew a couple strikeout throws to 1B this weekend that cost us a couple runs.

Sorry, it was the A&M CC game where he allowed the passed balls and got pulled. If I recall correctly, A&M CC scored at least two runs as a result of balls getting past Hunter. Fortunately, Rice also scored on a passed ball. I'm sure that Hunter will catch plenty of games, but I doubt that they will be games surrounded by three off days.

Well, I was right about JC as DH, but Ewing is behind the dish, with Taylor at 1B. Risky since Taylor is anything but an experienced 1B.

I was wrong about resting JC during the only mid week game of the week. You were wrong about Hunters performance affecting his playing time. You were wrong about the wisdom of Taylor at 1B (at least as of the top of the 8th). Neither of us are likely to out coach Graham.

TxSt crowd has gone home...

(03-18-2014 09:16 PM)grol Wrote:  TxSt crowd has gone home...

but austinowl73 is hanging in there.