CUSA: Running on Empty
By Jeremy Mills - May 28, 2006
With "Running on Empty" blaring from the stadium speakers, Clayton Boone entered the game with Houston trailing 6-5 with no outs and the bases loaded. When he left four batters later, only one out had been recorded and the Owl lead had ballooned to 10-5 after six innings.
Rice responded to a 5-1 deficit by posting crooked numbers in each of the three middle frames, and the Owls have taken a five-run lead and dug deep into the Cougar bullpen. The pen has been a question mark for Houston all season. So far this tournament, they hadn't given up a run, but today they were more arsonist than fireman as the Owls broke open a close game in the sixth.
Adam Zornes and Jordan Dodson singled to lead off the frame, and a Danny Lehmann walk loaded the bases and forced Shea Hancock from the game. Rayner Noble called down to the pen, but Clayton Boone provided no relief -- Tyler Henley drove in two runs on a first pitch single, and Brian Friday and Josh Rodriguez added RBI singles. Aaron Brown put out the fire with a strikeout and fly ball, but the damage was done.
Three innings left for the Cougars to chip away against the Owl bullpen, which has been a strength for most of the season.
Posted by Jeremy Mills at 04:31 PM on May 28, 2006
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