May 26, 2001

Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas - The Baylor baseball team scored five runs in the eighth inning and six runs in the ninth to come from behind and defeat Rice 11-10 Saturday night in the second round of the NCAA Regional at Rice's Reckling Park.

With the win, Baylor improves to 37-22, while Rice falls to 42-18 and now must battle through the loser's bracket.

After a four-hour and 23 minute rain delay, Rice jumped on Baylor starter Steven White early, scoring two runs in the first inning and three runs in the third. Owls first baseman Jesse Roman knocked in both runs in the first inning and slammed a triple to right field to score a pair of runs in the third.

In the bottom of the fifth, Rice added three runs to stretch the lead to 8-0.

Both teams had the bases loaded in the sixth, but neither could capitalize. Two Rice errors and a walk issued by Skaggs loaded the bases with Bears, but David Murphy flew out to left field for the third out. Baylor reliever Cody Hall walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, but bailed himself out with a strikeout and a fly ball to end the inning.

Rice starter Jon Skaggs held the Bears scoreless into the eighth inning, when a series of Owls mishaps allowed five Baylor runs.

Chris Durbin led off with a double to left field, stole third and scored on an error by the third baseman. With Williams on base, Murphy drilled a single to left to put runners in scoring position. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Huggins walked to load the bases before Skaggs was relieved by Phillip Barzilla. Williams then scored on a passed ball, Murphy came across on a wild pitch and Huggins came in on a passed ball before Mote ripped an RBI single to plate Trey Webb.

Jay Lockett (1-0) did not allow a run in the bottom of the eighth and Baylor headed into the ninth inning down 9-5.

In the top of the ninth, Durbin led off with his third double of the night and Kelly Shoppach smacked a single up the middle to score the run. Paul Richmond drilled a base hit to center field and advanced on the throw to put runners at second and third. Shoppach came in on Williams' sacrifice fly and Murphy ripped an RBI single to tie the game at 9-9.

With just one out and runners at first and second, pinch hitter Ross Bennett belted an 0-2 double down the right line to score Murphy and take the lead. Baylor scored two more runs to move ahead 11-9.

Zane Carlson entered the game in the ninth and allowed one run on three hits to earn his eighth save of the season. Rice reliever Philip Barzilla (3-3) gave up six runs on six hits in two-thirds innings for the loss.

Of note, Lockett's win is the first of his career and Durbin has now hit safely in 16 straight games. Baylor's victory over Rice is the first of the season after the Owls defeated the Bears in three previous meetings.

Baylor will play the winner of the UT-Arlington vs. Rice game for the championship Sunday at 4:30 p.m.