When last I wrote, UAB had swung the momentum in their favor with a 2-run homer to cut the Rice lead to 3-2 entering the bottom of the sixth. But nothing can bring momentum to a screeching halt faster than bases on balls. Blazer starter Jacob Legg had only walked one batter in his first five innings, but issued four free passes and allowed two hits in the seventh as the Rice Owls blew the game open. He left the game after throwing 110 pitches, evenly split between balls and strikes.

Greg Buchanan drove the nail into the coffin with an apparent home run off reliever Randy Mills, depositing the ball just over the right field wall. However, Tyler Henley had to wait to see if J.R. Bond would catch the ball before advancing and was passed on the bases by a hustling Buchanan. End result -- a two-run single for Buchanan and a 9-2 lead for the Owls.

Eddie Degerman needed to learn the lesson on his own, as we walked four batters in the next frame before being relieved by southpaw Bobby Bramhall. While flirting with disaster, only one run scored as pinch-hitter Donny Muth grounded out to end the inning with the Blazers still down by six runs.

The only suspense after that was whether Brian Friday could extend his 20-game hitting streak. He came to the plate with two outs and two on in the eighth, but was hit in the back with the pitch to end his streak.

The #1 Rice Owls will play the winner of tonight's Southern Miss-Memphis game tomorrow night, while UAB is relegated to the losers' bracket.