There are no upcoming events. Check back soon!

April 13, 2008

Box Score

HOUSTON -- Sophomore Diego Seastrunk brought a topsy-turvy slugfest to a close with a walk-off grand slam home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the sixth-ranked Rice baseball team to a dramatic 12-8 Conference USA victory over UAB in the finale of a weekend league series Sunday afternoon at Reckling Park. With the three-game sweep of the Blazers, Rice (27-10 overall and 10-2 in C-USA) won its' seventh game in a row and remained in sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

Seastrunk led the Owls with three of the team's 16 hits on the day, but the last one was the biggest. With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth inning, the sophomore third baseman from nearby Channelview, Tex., blasted his third home run of the season and first grand slam of his collegiate career over the wall in left field. The walk-off shot ended a back-and-forth contest that featured six different ties and lead-changes throughout the game.

Rice opened the scoring in the third inning. Doug Simmons knocked a two-out double to the wall in left-center field. He scored on a single to right by Jared Gayhart for his 36th RBI of the year.

UAB tied it up in the top of the fourth. Nick Crawford led off with a single and moved to second on a base hit by Phil Bell. Crawford advanced to third on a fly out and scored on a Rice fielding error that would have ended the inning. The run was unearned, but counted on the scoreboard for a 1-1 deadlock.

The Blazers moved in front in the top of the fifth. Brint Hardy walked and advanced two bases on a single by Jonathan Merritt. Hardy was able to slide under the tag at home plate on a bunt by Crawford to make the score 2-1.

Rice came right back with the tying run in its at bat. Rick Hague led off with a single through the left side and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Adam Zornes. Hague dashed home on a base hit by Chad Mozingo and the score was even again, 2-2.

UAB used the longball to move back in front in the sixth. Cody McMurry singled to start it off, but the Owls were headed out of danger by retiring the next two batters. Blazer catcher Allen Aubin hit a two-out, two-run homer to left for a 4-2 advantage.

The Owls answered with a three-run sixth to move back in front 5-4. Gayhart singled and Jimmy Comerota walked to quickly put two men on base. Seastrunk laced a double into the right field corner to plate both men for a 4-4 tie. Zornes then dropped a hit into shallow left and Seastrunk came home with a go-head run.

The Blazers returned the favor and tied the game in the top of the seventh. Merritt hit a double and took third on Crawford's sacrifice bunt. A sacrifice fly by Bell made the score 5-5.

Rice volleyed back with two runs in the seventh to take a 7-5 lead. J.P. Padron hit a solo home run and a UAB wild pitch after singles by Simmons and Seastrunk led to the other Rice run.

The Blue & Gray needed only to retire UAB in the ninth, but the Blazers fought back with three runs to take an 8-7 lead. The big blow was a two-run homer by Phil Bell for his third hit of the day.

The Owls rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. Jimmy Comerota singled and Seastrunk executed a sacrifice bunt to move him up 90 feet. Aaron Luna doubled to left and the score was tied once more, 8-8.

Rice senior left-hander Cole St.Clair struck out two to retire UAB 1-2-3 in the top of the tenth. Three of the Owls's first four batters drew walks to start the bottom of the tenth. Seastrunk cleared the bases with one swing for the 12-8 final. His six RBI doubled his previous career high (3) and the three-hit day was his fourth of the season.

UAB fell to 14-19 overall and 1-8 in conference. Rice next faces longtime rival Texas A&M on the road on Tuesday (April 15). First pitch with the Aggies is set for 6:30 pm in College Station. The Owls return home to host C-USA foe East Carolina at Reckling Park from April 18-20.