Rice University
4-5
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
4-6
Owls Thump Islanders 16-5 Saturday
3/6/2021 4:11:00 PM | Baseball
New Season Highs In Runs & Hits
HOUSTON — The Rice Baseball team posted season highs in runs and hits on the way to a 16-5 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in Saturday's early game at the annual Shriner's College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
The Story
Playing as the visiting team Saturday Rice had to catch up twice in the early going. Texas A&M Corpus-Christi struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Rice was able to answer with two runs in the top of the second, but the Islanders were back on the offensive for two more in the bottom of the frame for a 4-2 advantage.
In the top of the fourth Rice staged a two out rally to tie the score with a walk and hit batsman while the bases were loaded. It was a new 4-4 game but the Owls weren't quite finished. Cade Edwards delivered a base hit to left to drive home two runs and Bradley Gneiting and Antonio Cruz both followed with RBI singles to stretch the margin to 8-4.
The Blue & Gray continued to apply the offensive pressure and added a run in the fifth followed by another six-run inning in the top of sixth. The Owls had four hits and drew two walks to bat around in the inning. The big blow was a three-run homer to left by Justin Dunlap for a 15-4 lead. Both teams scored a run in the seventh to make it a 16-5 score. At the College Classic when a team holds a lead of ten or more runs after seven innings the game is declared ended by tournament rule.
For The Record
The Owls are now 4-5 on the season. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi dropped to 4-6 overall.
Rice At Minute Maid
The game was Rice's 50th played at Minute Maid Park since the start of the event in 2001. The Owls are now 30-20 in the downtown venue.
7-Innings At MMP
Rice has been on both sides of the seven inning rule while playing in the College Classic. In 2016 TCU defeated Rice 10-0. The Owls then returned the favor to that same Horned Frogs squad with a 12-2 victory in 2019.
Notes & Stats
• Rice's 16 runs is the Owls' highest output since registering 19 in a road game at Conference USA foe Charlotte in 2019.
• The 16 hits was the team's highest since collecting 19 at nationally ranked Texas Tech last season.
• Three Owls - Antonio Cruz, Will Karp and Bradley Gneiting - shared the game lead with three hits each. It marked Rice career highs for Cruz and Carp. Gneiting has reached base safely in nine-straight games.
• Rice was officially 9-of-18 when batting with runners in scoring position. The Owls were 7-of-14 when batting with two outs already recorded in the inning.
• Roel Garcia started and picked up the win with a season-high 5.0 innings pitched. Four different Owls on the staff have pitched at least 5.0 innings so far this season.
• After Garcia the Owls used a three pitchers out of the bullpen. Freshman Micah Davis made his collegiate debut in the seventh.
Next Up
The Owls are back at Minute Maid Park for game three of round robin action on Sunday (March 7). First pitch vs. Texas State is scheduled for 7 pm, and is this year's finale of annual event.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Garcia, Roel (1-0)
L: Bird, Henry (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Gneiting, Bradley 1 ; Karp, Will 1 ; Hughes, Hal 1
HR: Dunlap, Justin 1
RBI: Dunlap, Justin 3 ; Comeaux, Braden 1 ; Garibay Jr., Guy 1 ; Edwards, Cade 2 ; Gneiting, Bradley 1 ; Cruz, Antonio 1 ; Karp, Will 3 ; Long, Justin 1 ; Hughes, Hal 2
SF: Long, Justin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Dunlap, Justin 2 ; Comeaux, Braden 1 ; Garibay Jr., Guy 1 ; Edwards, Cade 2 ; Gneiting, Bradley 2 ; Cruz, Antonio 2 ; Karp, Will 2 ; Long, Justin 2 ; Hughes, Hal 2
SB: Comeaux, Braden 1 ; Garibay Jr., Guy 1
HBP: Comeaux, Braden 1
Batting:
3B: Ryan, Brendan 1
HR: Williams, Mike 1 ; Taylor, Justin 1
RBI: Hastings, Scott 1 ; Williams, Mike 2 ; Taylor, Justin 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Marbach, Luke 1 ; Williams, Mike 1 ; Rivera, Steven 1 ; Taylor, Justin 1 ; Ryan, Brendan 1
HBP: Davis, Trevor 1 ; Markotic, Leo 1
