Rice University
Lamar
Rice Rallies Past Lamar 12-5
3/12/2019 11:15:00 PM | Baseball
Owls Score 12 Runs On 13 Hits
Rice was quick to jump on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first after Trei Cruz started the inning with a triple to the wall in right-center field. Lamar answered with three in the top of the second and two in the third to take an early 5-1 lead. The Owls continued to battle and chipped away for two runs in the fourth before taking a 6-5 lead with three in the sixth. Rice also scored three in both the seventh and eighth innings for a total of 11 unanswered runs overall on the way to the 12-5 final.
Cruz was one of four Owls to share the team lead with two hits. He also drew three walks to reach base five times and he tied a career high with four runs scored. Bradley Gneiting went 2-for 5 and tallied three RBI in a game for the fifth time this season. Not only did Andrew Dunlap drive in three runs, he was hit by a pitch three times by three different Cardinal pitchers.
When Rice was down 5-1 the Owls needed the bullpen to hold Lamar in check. Pitchers Blair Lewis, Kel Bordwine and Kendal Jefferies came up big. The trio kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard for the final 6.0 innings. Lewis lowered his season ERA to 1.74 and he picked up his first Division I victory as the offense found its stride.
Rice improved to 8-10 on the season. Lamar is now 6-10 overall. The Owls have one hame remaining in the current homestand. The Blue & Gray host longtime foe Texas State at Reckling Park Wednesday (March 13) at 6:30 pm.
