|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Rice Thresher
Phone:
|
by JOSE LUIS CUBRIA THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF
The Owls, who entered the season with expectations that included a trip to the College World Series, are floundering at just 10-13 and 4-5 in Western Athletic Conference play. And the main reason has been the team's inability to perform well in the late innings. For a perfect example, look no further than the first game of Rice's midterm recess road trip to the state of Hawaii. The Owls jumped out to a 6-0 lead after just three innings against the University of Hawaii on March 4, but the Rainbows struck for two runs in each of the last three frames to steal a 10-9 decision. "When you get out to a 6-0 lead, the game should be over," junior reliever/outfielder Jesse Roman said. "We're really not putting people away the way we should be." But that was just one game, and the trend has been there all season long. In eight of their losses, the Owls have been outscored by a whopping 38-4 in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. And in all eight, they either led, were tied or trailed by less than three runs after the first six innings. Four other losses have come by a total of just six runs. Only one of the Owls' 13 setbacks, a 9-0 blowout against Sam Houston State University, did not follow the same tired plot. In other words, Rice's record would easily improve if only the team could hold onto its leads and play well down the stretch. Instead of getting down on themselves after so many wins have slipped through their fingers, the Owls are optimistic because they realize they are one or two plays per game away from turning most of those losses into wins. "It's that concept that we know we're almost there," Roman said. "A couple more things and we are there. We're not done yet. ... And eventually, I think we're going to get those close wins. These close losses will help us in the long run." The main culprit behind Rice's late-inning difficulties has been its shaky relief corps, and the statistics prove it. The seven pitchers who comprise the bullpen - Roman; juniors Philip Barzilla and Jayme Sperring; and freshmen Tony Adler, David Humen, Steven Herce and Jonathan Gonzalez - have combined to put up some dreadful numbers, most notably an 0-5 record and an 8.07 earned run average.
"We expected to have great relief pitching this year, and it's been a tremendous disappointment," head coach Wayne Graham said. "We're just blowing lead after lead. If we'd had the bullpen we thought we were going to have, we'd have a winning record. That doesn't mean it couldn't still kick in, but we're going to have to find something." Relief may be on its way. Senior Jeff Nichols, who has been sidelined with tendinitis in his throwing shoulder since Feb. 25, is on the verge of being ready to pitch again. His return - be it as a starter, a reliever or both - would solidify the staff as a whole. Roman has looked good in his last two outings, giving up three hits and one earned run in three innings while picking up his first save as an Owl. The other relievers, all of whom have very limited Division I experience, have been terribly inconsistent. But some - especially Adler and Sperring - have shown signs of having the potential to be effective and even dominant. The Owls know the emergence of at least a couple of consistent relievers may be the only thing standing in the way of a long winning streak. "I think they just need the experience," senior center fielder Jason Gray said. "Adler's struggled a little bit but he'll do the job. And I have no doubt about Jayme. ... I know I wouldn't want to step up to the plate against him, throwing as hard as he does and having that slider. He just has to learn to throw strikes and be confident with what he's got. "The improvements have been very encouraging, but some guys are going to have to step up. The thing is that we didn't use the relief pitching that much early in the year because [our starters] were doing their jobs, so the relievers are rusty. But I think from now on they've got the right idea - just throw strikes and make the other team beat us." The team's primary goal remains to reach the postseason via either an at-large bid or preferably the automatic bid given to the WAC champion. But with over a third of the season already completed and their record still under .500, the Owls' margin for error is very small. The team has a chance to get back on track with five non-conference games, starting with this weekend's two-game home series against Houston Baptist University, before its critical three-game series at WAC-leading Fresno State University next weekend. While the temptation is there for the Owls to look ahead to the series against the Bulldogs, they know these next five games are just as critical to their postseason hopes. "Every single game is a must-win," Gray said. "Now it depends on rankings and [power ratings], and we've just got to get in the postseason. If we don't start taking care of business in non-conference games, we're going to have to win the WAC - period - to get in. So every game is pretty much a playoff game for us from now on." - back -
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
