RICE WINS REGIONAL Rice opened its regional with an 11-4 victory over Texas-Arlington last Friday. The next day, Rice jumped out to a 9-0 lead against Baylor after seven innings, but lost the game, 11-10. The game was delayed four and a half hours due to thunderstoms. On Sunday, the Owls played Texas-Arlington in an elimination game on Sunday and won 14-2. Rice then beat Baylor 7-4 to force a second game against the Bears on Monday. Rice All-American Kenny Baugh started the game on only two days rest after picking up the win on Friday against Texas-Arlington. Baugh left after six innings and a 2-2 tie. Baylor jumped on top 4-2 in the eighth on two solo home runs, but Rice came back with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to take the regional title.
RICE AND THE CWS If Rice gets by Nebraska this weekend, it will make its third trip to the College World Series in five years. The Owls earned a trip to Omaha, Neb., in both 1997 and 1999. It would also be the fourth appearance by a WAC team in the last five years as San Jose State represented the conference last year. Rice would play the winner of the Mississippi State-Cal State Fullerton Super Regional in the first game of the CWS.
FRESNO STATE DROPS GAME AGAINST USC Fresno State opened its regional in Los Angeles by losing to Pepperdine, 4-0. The Bulldogs rebounded with victories against Oral Roberts, 2-1, and knocked out Pepperdine in a rematch, 8-6. Fresno State then bowed out with an 8-0 loss against host and second-ranked Southern California.
ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS Seven Owls and three Bulldogs earned all-tournament honors last week. Rice players included: Jess Roman, 1B; Hunter Brown, 3B; Eric Arnold, SS; Austin Davis, OF; A.J. Porfirio, OF; Phillip Ghutzman, DH; and Kenny Baugh, P. Roman was also named the most outstanding player after hitting .381 (8-21) with 15 RBI and five runs scored in five games. Fresno State players included: Oscar Lopez, 2B; Josh Labandeira, SS; and Casey McGehee, OF.
ALL-AMERICANS Collegiate Baseball announced the Louisville Slugger All-American baseball teams last week and two WAC players earned honors.