Rice University
7-8
HCU
1-13
Royo Caps Rally Over Huskies
3/11/2023 6:47:00 PM | Baseball
Two-run single highlights seven-run eighth
The Details: The Owls saw an early 7-2 lead eclipsed by the Huskies, who took a 10-7 lead with four runs in the seventh. Blake Brogdon retired HCU in order in the top of the eighth, setting the stage for the Owls' decisive rally in their next at-bats. A pair of walks and Royo's first single of the inning loaded the bases for Guy Garibay Jr. who drove in a run with the ground out to first. Drew Holderbach loaded the bases again with a walk and Connor Walsh was hit by a pitch to cut the deficit to 10-9. A bases-loaded walk to Paul Smith tied the game and a sacrifice fly by Christian Salazar put Rice back in front. Max Johnson drew another walk to put the Owls up by two and then Royo collected his second single of the inning to drive in two more to push the lead to 14-10. Brogdon was credited with the win while Krishna Raj worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth after HCU had cut the lead to 14-12, striking out pinch-hitter William Jewell to end the game.
Notes
- Rice won on Saturday for the first time this year (1-4) and also clinched a series for the first time in 2023.
- The Owls have won the last seven vs. HCU.
- Jose Cruz Jr. improved to 4-0 vs. HCU and former teammate Lance Berkman.
- Royo added a double to his two hits in the seventh inning, finishing with a career-high three hits and four RBI.
- Connor Walsh collected a pair of hits (2x3) for the fourth straight game and tied his career high with this fourth home run.
- Walsh leads the team with six multi-hit games.
- Freshman Jacob Devenny made his first career start and collected his first career hit while also scoring twice.
- Tom Vincent opened the game on the mound for the Owls and struck out a career-high four in three innings of work.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Brogdon, Blake (1-1)
L: Ricker, Chad (1-1)
S: Raj, Krishna (1)
Batting:
2B: Roccaforte, Austin 1 ; Chumley, Reed 1
3B: Baker, Trent 1
HR: Ruiz, Damian 1
RBI: Roccaforte, Austin 1 ; Davila, Diego 3 ; Ruiz, Damian 6 ; Letney, Logan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Roccaforte, Austin 4 ; Davila, Diego 2 ; Ruiz, Damian 1 ; Edwards, Parker 1 ; LaRue, Dylan 1 ; Baker, Trent 3
SB: Roccaforte, Austin 1 ; Ruiz, Damian 1 ; Chumley, Reed 1
HBP: Roccaforte, Austin 1 ; Benjamin, Samuel 1
Batting:
2B: Garibay Jr., Guy 1 ; Smith , Paul 1 ; Royo, Ben 1
HR: Walsh, Connor 1
RBI: Garibay Jr., Guy 2 ; Walsh, Connor 4 ; Smith , Paul 1 ; Salazar, Christian 2 ; Johnson , Max 1 ; Royo, Ben 4
SH: Johnson , Max 1
SF: Salazar, Christian 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Riedel, Jack 1 ; Garibay Jr., Guy 1 ; Holderbach, Drew 3 ; Walsh, Connor 2 ; Smith , Paul 1 ; Salazar, Christian 1 ; Devenny, Jacob 2 ; Johnson , Max 2 ; Royo, Ben 1
HBP: Walsh, Connor 1 ; Devenny, Jacob 1
PO: Johnson , Max 1
