May 18, 2007

Box Score

HOUSTON -

Memphis (33-22, 12-11)     010 100 000 - 2 10 0
No. 2 Rice (44-11, 21-2)   100 003 000 - 4  8 0

Michael Murray went 2-for-4 and extended his hit streak to 14 games, but a three-run sixth inning put Rice on top for good as the second-ranked Owls earned a series win over Memphis via a 4-2 victory in game two of the series.

For the second consecutive game, Rice got on top with a run in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Brian Friday tucked a triple just inside the rightfield foul line and scored on a groundball out.

But Memphis answered quickly with the equalizer in the top of the second inning behind the strength of Kyle Norrid's bat. Norrid smashed a Ryne Tacker offering over the left centerfield wall for his fifth round-tripper of the season. Norrid finished the night with two hits in four trips to the plate.

The Tiger gained their first lead of the series in the fourth after Bill Moss ripped a leadoff double to leftfield. Amar moved him to third with a groundball and Irvin brought him in on an RBI-fielder's choice grounder.

Rice refused to fall, as Friday was the catalyst for the Owls three-run sixth. He led the frame off with a single in the hole between third and shortstop. After a pair of groundouts moved his to third, the Tigers opted to intentionally walk Player of the Year candidate Joe Savery. Aaron Luna came up with the clutch hit in the next at-bat, sending a double into the leftfield corner to knot the tilt at 2-2. Jess Buenger then gave the Owls a 4-2 lead when he singled through the right side. Buenger had just one hit on the night--the eventual game-winner.

Memphis won the hits battle, 10-8, but left runners in scoring position three times. Chalmers was one of three Tigers to post multiple hits, going 2-for-4.

Despite taking the loss, sophomore right-hander Scott McGregor was solid in a complete-game performance. The Liberty Township, Ohio, native scattered eight hits, allowed four runs and struck out three.

McGregor's outing was upstaged by Tacker, who fanned eight and allowed just two runs in six innings. Matt Langwell held the lead and limited Memphis to a pair of hits in 1.1 innings. Cole St. Clair came on to work the final 1.2 innings. He struck out two of the three batters he faced to earn his fifth save of the year and Rice program record 18th of his career.

The Tigers will try to salvage a game on Saturday in the final C-USA regular season series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.