Grambling Upsets #5 Rice in Houston
SWAC.org
Courtesy Rice athletics media relations
HOUSTON - Grambling State jumped on the scoreboard for three unearned runs in the top of the first inning and hung-on for a 5-4 upset victory over the nationally-ranked Rice baseball team Sunday afternoon at Reckling Park in Houston.
The Tigers took advantage of two Rice fielding errors, and made the most of two free baserunners in their first time up. Chris Wolfe led off the game and reached on an Owl fielding error and both of the next two batters, Joe Gill Jr. and Darren Farmer were both hit by a pitch on consecutive pitches. Cleanup batter Thomas Brown III reached on another fielding error that allowed Wolfe to score with the bases still loaded. Gill Jr. scored a ground out to the right side and Farmer then came home on a passed ball. Grambling was in front 3-0 without recording a base hit in the inning.
Rice answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Michael Ratterree walked and Michael Fuda reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on first and second base. Ratterree scored on a single to right-center by Jeremy Rathjen. Fuda went to third on a single by Craig Manuel and scored on Shane Hoelscher's sacrifice fly that made it 3-2.
Grambling extended its lead in the top of the fifth. Wolfe led off with a single and a one-out walk to Farmer put runners on first and second. Brown III singled-home Wolfe and Farmer later scored on a base hit by Brian Knuckles to stretch the Tiger lead to three, 5-2.
Grambling starter Richard Bautista worked eight innings, but the Tigers went to Zach Moreau out of the bullpen for the start of the ninth. Moreau retired the Owls in order to preserve a win for Bautista (2-0) and notch his third save of the season. The Tigers improved to 11-7 on the year. Rice fell to 15-6 overall.