Texas vs. Rice Game 4

[Bevo1970]

This thread was originally submitted by member = NBHorn7
This post was made just before going to the new 2015 platform. Post as normal after these added posts if you wish.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 12:45 PM
Texas vs. Rice Game 4

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a big game in the season for Texas. It may be early in the season, but it's a series against a ranked team, so winning and splitting this series with Rice is just as big now for quality wins and your RPI as it is later in the year. If we had won the second game of the series and we had every chance to even after the six run first inning for Rice it would be a different situation.

We can experiment during the upcoming nine game home stand after this series. I expect some lineup changes today as we need to get some more offense or at least try to.

The pitching has some injuries to work through. Clemens is coming off an arm injury and needs more time it seems to gain command. Hollingsworth had some shoulder issues in the off season and who knows if he has rounded back into form yet. The pitching will work itself out most likely, but we need to use the proven arms today if at all possible to get this win.

Going to look for the starting lineup. The audio for the game should be on Texassports.com under Multimedia after the softball game I think.


NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 12:50 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

There are some major lineup changes and it's no Hinojosa at short or Jones at first.

The lineup is this for Texas:

Johnson-LF
Shaw-RF
Marlow-2B
Barrera-1B
Boswell-SS
McCann-DH
Cantu-C
Gurwitz-CF
McKenzie-3B
Hollingsworth-P

Some changes for more offense and some kind of injury to Hinojosa.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 12:57 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Johnson leads off against righty Austin Orewiler for Rice.

Ben steps in right handed and pops out to first for one away.

Shaw steps in lefty and K's swinging on a pitch in the dirt for two down.

Marlow up lefty with two away and a liner down the line in left is a double to put him aboard.

One on and two away for Barrera at first today.
He flies out to right and that retires the side.

Nothing for Texas and Rice comes to bat.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:02 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Right hander Chad Hollingsworth returns to the scene of where his success as a starter began last season.

He faces lefty lead off hitter Chandler to start his day on the hill.
He grounds one to the hole on the left side and Boswell at short ranges over and his throw is late to first and the fleet Chandler reaches with an infield hit.

Stainback bats lefty and grounds to second and the 4-6-3 is a twin killing for two down.

Byrd bats lefty and he lines a single to left for a runner.

The big right handed power hitter John Clay Reeves bats now and he flies down the line in right and Shaw has it to retire the side.

A couple of hits for Rice but no damage done and after an inning notthing on the board.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:11 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Orewiler takes the hill for Rice in the second.

Boswell at short today leads off and takes a called strike three for one down.

McCann is the Horn DH today as another bat is tried and he his liner is snagged by Stainback at second as he gets back quickly into shallow center for two away.

Cantu up as he catches today and works a walk to reach.

Gurwits steps in right handed as he plays center today.
His liner to right is dived for by the right fielder but not caught and the single puts runners on the corners.

McKenzie, bats right handed as he plays third today after pitching in relief yesterday.

The pitching coach makes a brief appearance and returns to the dugout.
McKenzie then flies out to medium center to retire the side.

Texas with a mild threat doesn't tally and to the bottom of two it's still nothing but 0's.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:22 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Hollingsworth takes the mound for Texas in the second.

Connor Teykl, the first baseman steps in the lefty box and a flair to center drops for another Rice hit to put him on first.

The third baseman Gray bats lefty with one on and nobody out.
He flies to shallow left and there is confusion and Johnson drops it after Boswell gives way, Ben picks it up calmly and gets the routine 7-4 force for one away. Ok, not so routine.

Warren up next and he grounds to third for more routine 5-4 force for two down.

Taylor up with two down and one one single on line center.

Runners on the corners with two away for the catcher Kopycinski.
He flies out to right field to retire the side.

A couple more hits for Rice and again gets out of it unharmed.

Two played and still nobody on the board.

 

[Bevo1970]

This post was made just before going to the new 2015 platform. Post as normal after these added posts if you wish.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:26 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Orewiler still pitches in the Texas third.

Johnson at the top of the order flies out to right for one away.

Shaw up and again K's swinging at a pitch in the dirt and the 2-3 put out is two away.

Marlow up again after his double in the first.
He grounds one to third and it goes right through the wickets the third baseman for an error.

Barrera up with one on and two down.
He grounds hard to second and it's knocked down and the 4-3 is completed to retire the side.

Bottom of three and still scoreless.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:31 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Hollingsworth is back out for the third and he is limited after injury and may not go any more than this.

Chandler leads off at the top of the Rice order.
He bunts down the left field line and McKenzie charges and bare hands and makes an accurate throw for a nice 5-3 play on the speedy Chandler for one down.

Stainback bats with one down.
He pops it up on the left side of the infield and Boswell makes the catch after bumping into McKenzie for two away.

Byrd bats with two down and rolls out 4-3 to retire the side in order for the first time today.

Three innings gone and scoreless in Houston.


ElginHotSausage
(1000+ posts)
02/15/15 01:34 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

McKenzie made a very nice play at 3rd................ But our hitting continues to bore me beyond belief.


NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:37 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The right handed Orewiler is still in there for Rice in the fourth.

Boswell leads off for the Horns.
The count runs full and a borderline pitch is called strike three as Boswell was in the process of going to first for one down.

The DH McCann grounds to second for a 4-3 second out.

Cantu the Texas catcher bats righty with two away.
He takes a called strike three on the outside corner and the Horns are down in order just like Rice was for the first time in the game.

Bottom of four and nada for runs in the game.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:42 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Hollingsworth does come out for Texas in the Rice fourth. His shoulder problem had the coaches saying he wouldn't go more than four innings.

Reeves leads off and for the second time today he flies out to right to Shaw for one away.

Teykl bats left and has a hit today bats with one down.
He takes a slider right down the middle for a called strike three for two away.

Gray bats with two down from the left side.
He grounds to first and Barrera takes to the bag for a 3U third out.

Again Hollingsworth sets Rice down in order and it's good to see him dealing like this.

Four played now still waiting for the first run of the game.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 01:48 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Orewiler returns for the Texas fifth.

Gurwitz leads off for the Longhorns.
A ground ball short is a 6-3 first out.

McKenzie up righty with one down.
He lunges at an outside fast ball and K's swinging for two away.

Johnson up again and the Horn lead off man lines a single to left.

Johnson needs to try and steal a bag here to get a run maybe.

Shaw up doesn't give him a chance as he grounds out in a 6-4 force to retire the side.
Don't understand that as Johnson with the great speed should be given a chance to steal there in a pitcher's duel.

Halfway through the contest and still scoreless.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:00 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Hollingsworth does appear for the fifth with the two quick prior innings.

Warren leads off and a bounding ball up the middle goes off Boswell's glove for an infield hit.

Taylor bats with one on and nobody out.
He singles through the hole on the left side to put runners on first and second.

Kopycinski up and he bunts and the sac is good 1-3 for one down.

Chandler the lead off man bats with the bases loaded.
He is walked intentionally to load the bases and set up the potential double play.

Stainback bats lefty and Hollingsworth tries to get out of the big jam.
Here comes Skip after a 2-1 count and you wonder if maybe Hollingsworth may be tiring or hurting or both.

He stays in and Stainback lines just off the glove of Marlow at second.
One runs scores.

Rice leads 1-0.

Byrd bats with the bases still loaded and one down.
He singles to left and you wonder if Hollingsworth was just left in too long.

Two runs score.

Rice leads 3-0.

Reeves bats with two on and one down.
He grounds back to the mound and Hollingsworth for some reason goes to third and the relay is late back to first.
Two down on the 1-5 force.

If Hollingsworth goes to secnond it could have bee a double play.
You wonder if the tender shoulder might be the reason as he may not have wanted to turn and throw to second. Who knows for sure.

Anyway that is now all for Hollingsworth as Skip comes out again.

Pitching change and tough luck for the game Hollingsworth.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:03 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The new pitcher for Texas is Kirby Bellow and the lefty is brought in to face the lefty hitter Teykl.

Teykl steps in and grounds to second for a 4-6 force to retire the side.

Rice breaks through for three runs and lead 3-0.
You wonder with the struggles of the Texas bats if that is too much to overcome, I hope not.

Five innings gone.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:08 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Orewiler back out for the Texas sixth.

Marlow leads off and cranks a deep fly ball to right and it's caught on the track for one down.

Barrera up with one away.
He K's looking on a big hook is a called strike three and the strike out problem continues for Texas.

Boswell up with two down and he K's swinging to retire the side.
So many strike outs just kills your offense.

Bottom of the sixth on tap and Rice leads 3-0.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:15 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Bellow back in the mound for the Horns as the Rice sixth frame begins.

Grayson Lewis pinch hits as Graham continues the lefty and righty game when Texas changes pitcher.
He grounds out to second for one down.

Warren up and he flies out to right for two away.

Taylor up with two away and grounds one down the line just fair on the left side for a double.

Kopycinski bats now from the right with two down and one one.
A slow roller to second is a 4-3 out to retire the side.

Six innings in the books and Rice ahead 3-0.


NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:24 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Orewiler continues to pitch in the seventh and why not as Texas can't do anything much with him.

McCann leads off for Texas batting right handed.
He K's swinging at another pitch out of the zone and the 2-3 put out is one away.

Cantu bats with one down and lines a single on short hop in front of the center fielder.

Gurwitz bats with one down and one on.
Another lunge at a pitch well out of the zone and it's another swinging K for two down.

Texas yet again reaches double digits in strike outs in the series.

McKenzie bats with one on and two down.
He works a walk to put two on.

Johnson up as the tying run and let it fly Ben as it's worth a shot.
He lines a shot to right for a single and it goes right under the glove and to the wall and two runs score and Johnson goes all the way to third on the error.

Rice leads 3-2.

Orewiler is done as Graham comes and gets him.
Rice once again helps Texas stay in a game and the Horns need to takes advantage.

Pitching change.

 

[Bevo1970]

This post was made just before going to the new 2015 platform. Post as normal after these added posts if you wish.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:31 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The new pitcher for Rice is lefty Austin Solecitto who has already pitched in the series.

He faces C.J. Hinojosa in a rare pinch hitting role.
The injured Hinojosa didn't start today and he lines a single to center and ties the game at 3-3.

Marlow bats with one on and two down.
A wild pitch puts Hinojosa at second as the clueless Rice announcer still hasn't noticed it's not Shaw. Somehow the lefty Shaw and the righty Hinojosa look slightly different.

Marlow walks and that puts two on and brings out the pitching coach and that all for Solecitto.

Another pitching change.


NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:39 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The third pitcher of the inning for Rice is Glenn Otto and the big right hander is also making his second appearance of the series.

He struck out the side in his last appearance.

Barrera up with a chance to give Texas the lead bats with two down and two on.
He is called out on strikes on a terrible call, low and outside.
Barrera is livid and he barks big time and I can't believe he wasn't thrown out of the game. Maybe the ump knows he blew that call.

Texas does tie it up as the stretch in Houston. Game tied 3-3.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:47 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Bellows still in for Texas.

Chandler leads off at the top of the order and he waves and misses for a K and one down.

Hinojosa does go into short and you wonder what is going on with his supposed injury.

Stainback bats righty with one down.
Now the game is stopped as the still hot Barrera gets into it with a Rice fan over the first base dugout.

Stainback back in and he K's swinging as Bellow starts to really deal on the mound.

Byrd, a switch hitter bats righty against the lefty Bellow.
A liner by Boswell at third is a single and Byrd is a big threat to steal.

Reeves, the big power hitter is dangerous against lefties steps in.
An big change and Reeves K's swinging and Bellow strikes out the side.

Seven played in what has become a very spirited contest all off a sudden and tied 3-3.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 02:54 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Otto stays in to pitch the eighth.

Boswell leads off for Texas from the left side.
He K's looking again as the K's are everywhere.

One down for McCann and he K's swinging too on a high fast ball and two down.

Cantu bats with two away and the count runs full.
He K's swinging and the freshman Otto has struck out all seven Horn batters he has faced, thought put a big ? by the Barrera K last inning.

Bottom of the eighth tied at 3-3.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 03:06 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Bellow is done and he pitched well. The new Texas hurler is lefty Ty Culbreth.

Teykl, the lefty first baseman leads off against him in the Rice eighth.
He lines a single on the first pitch to center.

Lewis up and he looks to bunt him up.
He gets it down and the 3-4 out is one away.

Dane Myers, a righty will pinch hit now for Warren to face Culbreth.
He bats with the lead run at second and one down.
The count runs full and he takes a pitch on the outside corner for a called strike three and two away.

Taylor comes up and the intentional walk is given and that does set up a force at any base.
Taylor has been a hot hitter for Rice also.

So the Rice catcher Kopycinski bats righty with two on and two out and it's one of those big moments in the game.
A ground ball to short and Hinojosa takes to the bag for a force and the 6U gets Texas out of the jam.

It keeps things tied at 3-3 as we go to the ninth.


NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 03:09 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Otto stays on for Rice in the ninth as Texas hasn't put a ball in play against him yet this series.

Gurwitz leads off and he ends the string with a liner to center for a single.

Mathis, who went into right field for Shaw is up.

The pitching coach is out and that's it for Otto.
You don't strike out everybody you face and your gone.

Pitching change.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 03:19 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The new Rice pitcher is the big righty Jordan Stephens. He has been recovering form Tommy John surgery and wasn't expected to pitch in the series.

He has been a starter and one the Owl best pitchers in the past. After a good practice session, he was give the go to pitch one inning and this is it.

Mathis steps in lefty and the bunt is in order no doubt.
He fouls off two pitches and K's swinging for one away.
The K's are haunting the Horns.

Johnson up at the top of the order with one on and one down.
A shallow fly ball to center is two away.

Hinojosa, who tied the game in a pinch hitting role hits with two down and one on.
Gurwitz attempts the steal and picks a bat pitch as the high fast ball is an easy throw and he is gunned down to retire the side.

So if Texas is to even the series, they will have to do it in extra innings.

Bottom on the ninth and tied at 3-3.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 03:29 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Culbreth stays in for the Rice ninth.

The top of the order in Chandler from the left side leads off.
A ground ball slowly rolled to first and Chandler beats it out for an infield single.

Stainback up and will he bunt?
He pops it up foul to Cantu for a big first out.
Chandler could steal now.

Byrd up with one down and the winning run at first.
He pops up to short and that's two away.

The big power hitter and right handed batter Reeves is up and keep it down here please.
A ground ball to third and the long throw by Boswell retires the side 5-3.

Free baseball at Reckling Park tied at 3-3.

 

[Bevo1970]

This post was made just before going to the new 2015 platform. Post as normal after it if you wish.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 03:42 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Yet another pitcher for the Owl's is John Williamson a lefty who has also played in the field for Rice.

Hinojosa leads off.
He flies out to right for one away.

Marlow up with one down.
The count runs full and he swings at ball four in the dirt for two down.
So many K's that kill your offense.

Barrera and it would be fitting if he could muster another blast like he had yesterday to give Texas the lead.
The count runs full and every Texas batter has gone to a three ball count.
He draws the walk.

Boswell with a chance for the big hit to give the Horns the lead with one on and two down.
He plays golf on a low pitch and sends it to center for a single.

Two on now at first and second for McCann as the pitching coach comes out and now returns.

McCann, the freshman in a big spot and he lines the first pitch down the left field line and it caroms off the side wall for a double.

Texas leads 4-3.

Way to go freshman and it was a bad break if the ball had continued down the line it might have scored two.

That's all for Williamson as the pitching coach returns.

Pitching change.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 03:48 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The latest Rice pitcher is right hander Willie Amador.

He faces Cantu and Horn catcher could go a long way to wining this game with a clutch hit here.

You wonder who might come in now for Texas to try and close it out, maybe Duke or even Mayes.

Right now we look for Cantu to help whoever pitches the ninth.
The count runs full and he K's on what looked like a low pitch as this ump has a huge zone that also rotates.

Bottom of the tenth and the Horns look to split the series leading 4-3.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 03:54 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

It's Culbreth staying on to try and win it.

Teykl leads it off for Rice from the left side.
He grounds a single up the middle and the tying run is on.

Lewis bats and let's see how they play it.
The right hander steps in and Teykl is lifted for a pinch runner named Wonderlick.
Lewis gets the bunt down and after a bobble Culbreth makes the 1-3 out.

Skip is out and he is making the change.

Pitching change.

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 04:06 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The new Horn on the hill is right hander Kyle Johnson. a fireballer who is a big time recruit and has a chance to show it in his first game as a Longhorn.

The freshman faces Myers, a right handed batter with one out and the tying run at second.
The count runs full and he walks him and the winning run is at first.

Taylor up with two on and one down.
A ground ball to third is a 5U second out as Boswell tags third.

The Rice pitching ace Blake Fox, pinch hits with two on and two outs.
The big lefty hitter stands in and Johnson gets a called strike three to end the game and get a save.

Texas bookends the series with wins to split the series. What a big win and I need some time think about this one and then summarize it. So much happened and I am but one man.

Texas wins 4-3 in ten innings!

salonghorn-70
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 04:09 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

In reply to:
I am but one man.



SUPERMAN!!!!
Thanks for the updates.

Htown77
(1000+ posts)
02/15/15 04:12 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Big thanks to NBHorn7 for the updates! I will take a 2-2 series split at Rice to start the season (especially since I feel like Augie's teams improve as the season goes along). I hope we do not have to face them in the tournament again but we probably will.

johnnyg88
(500+ posts)
02/15/15 04:32 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Gave up on these guys for a couple of innings when they fell behind, and came back to see what, if anything, was happening that would give me hope. Augie got to see a lot of pitchers this weekend, and several freshmen came through. Disappointed in the hitting right now, and way too many K's. Hopefully, we improve. Thanks again to you, NBHorn for your updates...

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 04:37 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

It was a huge win for the Horns and many good things and still some bad things still happening too.

Texas batters still swing at WAY too many bad pitches to strike out much too often and not putting the ball in play is a killer for an offense.

Rice made some errors and a big one helped Texas get back in it with the ball going under the right fielders glove and rolling to the wall. We didn't give Rice enough chances to make mistakes with all the strike outs and at least half would be walks with some more discipline. I understand protecting the plate, but the plate isn't in the dirt or a foot outside.

Freshmen played a large role in the victory with McCann getting the winning hit and Kyle Johnson the save in his first action. Also McKenzie coming in and filling a void with the injury to Hinojosa.

C.J. despite whatever is wrong with him and he is going to have X-rays done when he gets back to Austin, coming in and getting the game tying hit.

Hollingsworth looked good and probably stayed in a little to long, but I feel good about his future.

I have great faith that Skip will piece another great pitching staff out of what he has and if Clemens can come around from his arm problems he can still be a factor. Don't forget that a large part of this staff was going to be Morgan Cooper, but he is out for the season with Tommy John surgery.

Bellow pitched well and so did Culbreth. You still had Duke and Mayes in the pen if needed. So pitching should be strong all season.

If the Texas hitters can just learn some patience, they have some good bats on this squad that could produce. That is the main puzzle to solve as it was last year.

It's just one series, but it was a very big one that you had to at least split and Texas got it done and right now that is good enough. So let's go back home for a long home stand and find some answers. The parts are there to go back home to Omaha again, I look forward to a fun and winning season. With my apologies to Coach Strong, but "Let's Ride" with the this baseball team.

The Eyes of Texas
(1000+ posts)
02/15/15 05:32 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The radio said that c.j. didn't start because he was late to a team breakfast. Is that in addition to an injury, or is someone misinformed?

FWHORN
(10,000+ posts)
02/15/15 05:33 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

Had a ton of family stuff this weekend so all I have had is your summaries to read after the games, great job as always NB thanks.

That said I am happy with a split on the road to a ranked Rice team that will be in the mix come May/June. This was a tough way to start the year and to get a split is encouraging if not the ideal way to start the season.

I cant tell you how awesome it is to have baseball back.

jayakris
(Hornfans Recruiting Guru)
02/15/15 05:45 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

What a terrific win. Needed it badly!

NBHorn7
(2500+ posts)
02/15/15 07:34 PM
Re: Texas vs. Rice Game 4

The Rice announcer on the live stream of the game said Hinojosa was injured and would have X-rays when the team got back to Austin.

I would think he got that from a Texas official of some kind. If true, it leads me to think he might have some kind of possible hairline fracture or a stress fracture.