May 24, 2009

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• C-USA Championship Central

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Rice's Michael Fuda and Jimmy Comerota sparked a two-out, two-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning then hung on for an 8-6 victory over Southern Miss in the Championship Final of the Conference USA Tournament Sunday afternoon at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss. Not only did the Owls clinch the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament which begins next week, the Rice baseball program won its 14th-straight conference title dating back to 1996.

The tournament setting allowed the Owls to play as the home team in the Golden Eagles' home venue. After the two-run rally, junior Ryan Berry retired USM in the top of the ninth to earn his first career save. It closed-out Rice's 39th win of the season heading into NCAA Regional action next week at Reckling Park.

After Ryan Lewis was hit by a pitch to start the Rice eighth. Fuda sprinted down the line to beat-out a USM throw on the back end of a double play attempt. Steven Sultzbaugh then hit a slow grounder to the left side, but Fuda's speed allowed him to take third base that was left uncovered on the play. With two away, Comerota was safe on a single after diving head-first for the base and wisely avoiding a tag from a slightly high throw. Comerota's heads-up hustle allowed Fuda to score easily and the Owls were in front 7-6. Comerota scored the final run of the game on a ball to the outfield by Brock Holt.

It capped a wild Championship Final that saw twice come back and tie the game after the Owls had taken the lead. Rice jumped on the scoreboard for a pair of runs in the bottom of the bottom of the first inning. Rick Hague hit a pitch into the hole on the left side of the infield for a base hit. With two away, freshman sensation Anthony Rendon then blasted a 3-2 pitch just to the left of the centerfield fence for an early 2-0 lead. The homer was Rendon's team-leading 19th of the season and tied for the seventh-most by an Owl in a single-season in school history.

The Blue & Gray added two more in the bottom of the fifth. Fuda bunted for a base hit to lead it off and Holt singled after a one-out walk to Comerota. The Golden Eagles appeared to be working their way out of the bases-loaded jam, but a fielding miscue scooted through the left side of the infield. Fuda and Comerota scored to stretch the margin to 4-0.

Southern Miss came right back and rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth, all with two outs already in the inning. Corey Stephens doubled and consecutive walks to Kameron Brunty and Joey Archer loaded the bases. Tyler Koelling hit a double into the left field corner that scored two. The Owls couldn't hold on to the ball on the final throw back into the infield and a third run scored with Koelling advancing to third. He came home on a base hit to right and it was a new game at 4-4.

The outburst still couldn't take away from another solid outing by freshman left-hander Taylor Wall. After a complete game shutout on Wednesday, Wall started on three days rest and fired another 5.0 complete shutout innings before being charged with his first run of the tournament. He allowed just three hits and three walks while striking out two but did not figure in the decision.

After 10 days on the road Rice would not go away so easily and regained the lead after the seventh-inning stretch. Holt reached on an infield single and Hague punched a base hit through the right side. Diego Seastrunk lined a double down the right field line to score both men and put the Owls back on top 6-4. The Golden Eagles used the longball to tie it back up in the eighth. Stephens drew a leadoff walk and Brunty slugged a home run over the right field wall to tie it at 6-6. That was all the damage done, setting the stage for the final inning-and-a-half.

Individually six Owls were honored with selection to the All-Tournament team, including Anthony Rendon as the Most Valuable Player. Ryan Berry, Diego Seastrunk, Steven Sultzbaugh, Rick Hague and Taylor Wall all were voted to the league's all-tourney squad.

The Owls' season has officially been extended. On the trip back the team learned it would in fact be hosting an NCAA Regional at home at Reckling Park. The Blue & Gray has advanced to NCAA Regional action in each of the last 15 seasons. The Owls have turned the home Regional into sensational success in the NCAA Tournament as of late, advancing to the College World Series in Omaha in each of the last three seasons.

The full, 64-team NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Monday morning, May 25. A host of NCAA Tournament information, including schedules, brackets and ticket availability will be posted on RiceOwls.com as it becomes available.