Rice University Athletics
Rice University
Charlotte
Charlotte Rallies Past Rice In Ninth, 6-4
4/29/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Recap by: John Sullivan, Rice Athletics (jsully@rice.edu)
HOUSTON – The visiting Charlotte baseball team rallied for six runs in the top of the ninth inning to claim a 6-4 Conference USA win over the Rice Owls in the finale of the three-game weekend series Sunday afternoon at Reckling Park.
Rice is now 17-25-2 on the season and 7-12-2 in league play. Charlotte improved to 24-19 overall and 11-10 in C-USA.
The Owls had a solid start on the mound from sophomore Addison Moss, who scattered six singles and a pair of walks in working a career-long 7.1 innings. The Rice offense supported him with single runs in the third, sixth and seventh (before scoring a final run in the in the eighth). The defense also contributed a pair of clutch double plays in the sixth and eighth when Charlotte threatened for runs.
Rice held the 4-0 lead to start the top of the ninth and retired the first two Charlotte batters. A walk, wild pitch and RBI single led to a run. Another wild pitch and RBI single plated a second run to make the score 4-2. Rice looked to be ending the game as sophomore third baseman Braden Comeaux made a sensational bare-handed grab and throw on a tricky, shallow, grounder near the base line. Batter Jackson Mims was safe at first, however, to load the bases. A walk forced-in a run to cut the lead to one, 4-3. Drew Ober singled to right field to give the 49ers the lead, 5-4, and one more run later scored before the play ended as Rice tried to get the final out in a run-down.
The Owls picked up their 12th hit of the day with a Dominic Cox double in the bottom of the ninth. Charlotte hung-on to record the 6-4 final.
The C-USA weekend series has concluded but the Owls still have one more game remaining in the current homestand. Rice hosts longtime foe Lamar on May 2 (Wed.) at Reckling Park. Start time against the Cardinals is set for 6:30 pm.
