Send Rice Explodes on Marshall in 9th

Posted: 7:27 PM Apr 13, 2012
Reporter: MU Media Relations

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Aaron Blair and Josh King held No. 9 Rice to two runs through eight innings, but it was not enough as the Owls posted seven runs in the ninth and shutout Marshall 9-0 Friday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park.

Blair scattered five hits over six innings in his team-leading ninth start of the season but coughed up a run in the fifth when a hit batter came around to score with two out. For that, Blair (1-6) was dealt the loss as Marshall (13-20, 1-6 C-USA) was shutout for the second time this season. Blair struck out seven while walking three.

King threw two innings of relief and struck out two. Although the sophomore right-hander limited the Owls to just two base runners, J.T. Chargois’ RBI-double in the eighth plated another hit batter and put Rice on top 2-0. Rice carried that lead into the top of the ninth before tagging the Marshall bullpen with seven runs – only one of which was earned – to put the game out of reach.

What seemed hopeful late in the game indeed took a turn for the worse in the final frame as Marshall committed three errors which allowed Rice to quadruple its lead.

In the ninth, Rice (25-11, 7-3 C-USA) batted around its order and collected five hits to add plenty of insurance. It was the third time this season the high-caliber Owls posted seven or more runs in any single inning.

Marshall went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position for the game and left two stranded in both the seventh and eighth innings.

The Thundering Herd had four hits on the day, three of which came from freshmen. Andrew Dundon (1-for-2), John Gandolfo (1-for-3), and Adrian Farris (1-for-4) were joined by senior Thor Meeks (1-for-4) in Friday’s box score.

Wayland Moore and Ryan Hopkins shared the relief effort in the ninth.

Chargois led the Rice attack with a 3-for-5 effort where he drove in two and scored one. First baseman Ryan Lewis was 2-for-5 in the victory, and six other Owls had hits.

Matthew Reckling (6-0) grabbed the win after holding the Herd to no runs on four hits in 6.2 innings. The senior struck out seven.

Marshall and Rice will square off for game two Saturday at 2:05 p.m.

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