Owls Top Texas 13-6 Sunday In Fall Exhibition
10/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 19, 2008
ROUND ROCK, Tex -- The Rice baseball team rallied from 5-1 deficit to claim a 13-6 fall exhibition win over the University of Texas Sunday afternoon at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas.
A single and a stolen base by Steven Sultzbaugh, and an RBI double by Brock Holt was the Owls' lone run through the first five innings of the scheduled 14-inning exhibition. Texas built a 5-1 advantage after five frames, but the Blue & Gray out-scored UT 8-1 over the next four innings.
The Owls tied it with two runs in the eighth inning. Jimmy Comerota drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a single by Anthony Rendon. Rendon stole second base and scored the tying run on a RBI single by Diego Seastrunk.
While the Rice offense was working on the comeback, the Owls' pitching staff did a sensational job down the stretch. Six Rice pitchers held the Longhorns to no runs and just two hits over the final seven innings. Sophomore Matt Evers was sharp with two hitless shutout innings. He walked two and struck out one. Jordan Rogers, Jared Rogers, Andrew Benak, Anthony Fazio and Zack Harwood each worked one scoreless inning to close out the game.
Rendon led the Rice offense, going 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Rathjen went 2-for-6 with two runs and three RBI.
It was a great exhibition of fall baseball, but the longtime rivals are not finished yet. Rice and Texas meet again in another 14-inning exhibition next Sunday (Oct. 26) at Reckling Park. First pitch is at 12:30 pm. The cost for admission is $5.
During the exhibition the Rice bookstore is going to sell spirit merchandise with some fantastic bargain prices set on selected items (while supplies last). Fans can get a jump on the fall weather or gifts for the upcoming Holiday Season with sweatshirts at 50% off. Baseball tee-shirts will be 25% off. There will also be some new merchandise on sale for fans to show their support for the Owls.
