Owls Beat Marshall 5-3 After Rain Delay

Saturday, March 31

Reckling Park

6:00 PM

Rice University

21-10, 4-1

Marshall

14-10, 0-5

Marshall

Rice Owls

<b>Jess Buenger had two hits and seven defensive assists, including a triple and double play.</b>

3/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 31, 2007

Box Score

HOUSTON -- Rains in the Houston area may have delayed the start time almost four hours, but when the contest finally got underway the eighth-ranked Rice baseball team jumped on the scoreboard for five early runs then held on for a 5-3 Conference USA victory over visiting Marshall in the second game of a three-game weekend league series Saturday night at Reckling Park.

When the rains cleared the Owls were on the offensive early, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first on two hits, two stolen bases and a Marshall fielding error. The Blue & Gray added three more in the bottom of the second. Tyler Henley was hit by a pitch to lead it off and sophomore second baseman Jess Buenger blasted a home run over the left field wall. Junior J.P. Padron followed with an infield single and a Thundering Herd fielding error allowed him to take second base on the play. Junior Brian Friday punched a single through the left side for his second hit of the night to score Padron and the Owls were quickly in front 5-0.

Marshall answered with an unearned run in the top of the third on a single, walk and Rice fielding error. The Owls worked out of the jam with a double play and continued to hold the Thundering Herd in check until the top of the sixth. Blake Sanders started with a single and Nick Damas walked. The runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and both scored on a double to left by Mason Chapman that cut the margin to 5-3.

The Owls's duo of Scott Lonergan and Ryne Tacker came out of the bullpen to relieve starter Matt Langwell, who allowed just five hits and struck out two in 5.1 innings to notch his third win of the season. Lonergan pitched 1.1 innings of two-hit relief and Tacker fired the final 2.1 scoreless frames on his way to his third save of the season. He struck out two and allowed just one hit, a line shot back to the mound that bounced off his foot and rolled for a single with two out in the ninth. The senior from Benbrook, Tex., promptly got back on the mound, only to have the next Marshall hitter line another come-backer that bounced off his leg. Tacker quickly composed himself, fielded the ball and threw to first in time to end the game.

After a 13-1 victory on Friday night Rice clinched the C-USA series by taking both of the first two games. The Owls have now won 35-consecutive home series at Reckling Park. The streak, which includes both regular season and NCAA super regionals, dates back to April of 2001. Rice improved to 20-10 on the season and 3-1 in C-USA action. Marshall fell to 14-9 overall and 0-4 against the league. The weekend series continues through Sunday at Reckling Park. Sunday is set for 1 pm.