March 29, 2006

Box Score

SAN MARCOS - Texas State was held to two hits and one run while sixth-ranked Rice posted nine extra-base hits in an 11-1 Owl victory Wednesday night at Bobcat Field.

The game was originally slated for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, but was pushed to Wednesday due to weather conditions in San Marcos.

Texas State (12-18) totaled two hits in the game, as Cody Merrell went 1-for-3 and Dawid Bednarek went 1-for-2 with a fifth-inning RBI. Both Bobcat hits came in the fifth.

Rice (21-8) jumped on top in the first inning, as Greg Buchanan blasted the game's fourth pitch over the right-field wall to put the Owls up 1-0.

The Owls added to the lead in the third inning as Joe Savery and Josh Rodriguez each slapped one-out doubles to leave runners at second and third.

Rice would then score on the sixth pitch of the next at bat, as Jordan Dodson belted a three-run home run to left to make the score 4-0.

In the fourth, Brian Friday drew a lead-off walk and was doubled to third by Travis Reagan. Buchanan followed his second RBI of the game, an RBI single into center that ran the lead to 5-0.

Savery would then single to center to plate two runs, and Dodson gave Rice its fourth run of the inning by doubling home Buchanan to make the score 8-0.

Texas State dissolved a no-hitter for Rice starter Will McDaniel in the fifth, as Merrell led off with a lead-off single through the middle. Bednarek then dispatched the Owl shut out with his RBI single into center.

Rice added insurance runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, while Texas State was held hitless over the game's final four frames.

The Owls had nine players come through with base hits, including six multiple-hit performances. Buchanan led the charge by scoring three times in a 3-for-5, two RBI appearance, while Dodson went 2-for-3 with four runs driven in.

Bobcat starter Steven Siers (0-1) took the loss for the `Cats, who used seven pitchers in the game who combined to strike out six Owl batters. McDaniel go the win for Rice, improving his record to 2-0 on the year.

Texas State's next action comes Friday, when the Bobcats open a three-game set with Louisiana-Monroe at Bobcat Field. Friday's first pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.