Box Score March 20, 2011
Box Score
HOUSTON, Texas - Keenan Cook belted a two-run double to left center in the fifth inning and 25th-ranked batted around to score five runs on five hits to take the series finale, 11-3, over Louisiana Tech Sunday afternoon at Reckling Park to complete the series sweep.
Jeb Stefan (2-3) took the loss despite a sharp four innings of work to start the game. The right-hander took a no-hit bid into the fifth inning before allowing four runs on three hits while walking three and striking out four batters.
The Bulldogs threatened in the top of the fourth as Taylor Terrasas was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a stolen base and a throwing error by Rice starter, Matthew Reckling. Following a strikeout, the Owls put runners on the corners by intentionally walking Alex Williams but Reckling forced Joey Ford to hit a grounder to second base that would end the inning and strand two runners on base.
Shane Hoelscher tallied the first hit for either team on the afternoon in the fifth as he drove the first pitch of the at-bat into left field and Derek Hamilton followed him with another base knock. Both runners were moved into scoring position as Ryan Lewis laid down a sacrifice bunt.
With two outs, Cook broke up Stefan's shutout bid with a two-run double that plated both Hoelscher and Hamilton to give the Owls a two-run lead. After walking Chargois, Stefan was relieved in favor of Kyle Roliard. The southpaw gave up an RBI single to Craig Manuel before intentionally walking top-ranked draft prospect, Anthony Rendon, to load the bases.
Ratterree then took a 1-2 pitch and doubled down the left field line to score both Manuel and Chargois to cap the Rice inning at five runs on five hits.
The Owls added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth off of Roliard courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Daniel Gonzales-Luna and an RBI single from Chargois. Rice then added three runs in the seventh and another run in the eighth inning to cap an 11-run offensive outburst.
With one out in the top of the seventh, freshman Colby Johnson broke up Reckling's no-hit bid with a pinch hit single down the left line. However, Johnson was erased on the base paths after Tyler Qualls flied out to shallow left field and Johnson was doubled up at first.
Reckling (3-0) allowed just one hit in 7.0 scoreless innings of work. The junior tallied eight strikeouts while allowing two walks.
The Bulldogs tallied three unearned runs in the eighth as Corey White posted an RBI ground out and Mark Threlkeld and Philip Menou added an RBI single and double, respectively.
Louisiana Tech (8-11) returns to action on Tuesday with a midweek contest against Alcorn State. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. CT at J.C. Love Field.
Notes: Louisiana Tech is now 3-26 all-time against Rice ... Tech has lost eight-straight games against Rice... Tech has now lost nine straight games overall and 12-straight road games within the state of Texas... The nine-game losing streak is the longest since Tech lost 11 games from April 3, 2008 - April 20, 2008... The Bulldogs are now 2-8 on the season when allowing a big inning (four-plus runs)... Mark Threlkeld has made 91 consecutive starts... Threlkeld's RBI in the eighth inning was his first since the series opener against Middle Tennessee... Corey White tallied his second career RBI... Kyle Roliard (five games) and Alex Williams (three games) both saw their hitting streaks come to an end.... The two walks from Beau Bayliss marked a season-high... The 10 walks from the Bulldogs pitching staff are the most since Tech pitchers allowed 10 walks at Texas on May 16, 2010.
