Rice pads lead. Kaplan helps a bit.

By Eric Sorenson - March 03, 2007

Starter Jeff Kaplan plunked a pair of Rice batters and walked in a run to help the Owls push out to a 2-0 lead after an inning and a half.

The good news for Kaplan? Jess Buenger came up with the bases-loaded, looking for a grand slam to add to his first inning solo shot. But Kaplan got him to fly out to center. The crowd let out a collective gasp because the ball seemed pretty well-hit off his bat.