FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Jimmy Comerota (Courtesy of Rice Media Relations)
HOUSTON — Led by junior Jimmy Comerota’s seven-hit, five-RBI day that was punctuated with a deep home run, the Rice baseball team closed out its fall training period with a 21-2 exhibition win over visiting McNeese State Saturday afternoon at the Owls’ Reckling Park in Houston, Texas.
The Owls infielder from nearby Missouri City, Tex,. went 7-for-8 with a home run, stolen base and five RBI in the scheduled 14 inning exhibition. Comerota led a Rice offense that pounded-out 28 hits, including eight for extra bases. A host of Rice newcomers also had a banner day as Brock Holt, Anthony Rendon, Steven Sultzbaugh and Jeremy Rathjen all collected three hits on the afternoon.
Almost lost in all the offensive fireworks was that ten (10) Rice pitchers held McNeese State to just two runs over the 14-inning exhibition. The Owl pitchers scattered 12 hits while striking out 16. Junior right-hander Mike Ojala started for Rice on the mound and led the way with 3.0 scoreless frames and five strikeouts.
Through the four exhibitions Rice has played this fall, the Owls outscored opponents 61-20, hit a composite .348 as a team with a .451 slugging percentage. The pitchers maintained a 2.21 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .210 average in 57 innings of work. Ojala, along with junior right-hander Ryan Berry and sophomore left-hander Matt Evers posted outstanding fall results.
Rice baseball will resume practices early in 2009. The new season officially gets underway on Feb. 20 with a three-game weekend road series at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The Owls return Reckling Park to host crosstown rival Houston on Feb. 25 in its 2009 home-opener.
