HOUSTON - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team fell in a nonconference action to No.
17 Rice, 2-0, Wednesday night at Reckling Park.
The Islanders had several chances to put a run on the board but missed opportunities proved costly leaving six runners on base, falling to 21-24 on the year.
Rice didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard as they tallied a run in the opening inning. With back-to-back walks to begin the game, the Owls' designated hitter John Clay Reeves drove the first run on a single though the left side to put Rice on top.
Rice (30-16) continued to reach base and put pressure on the Islanders defense and pitching staff, but three inning-ending double plays ended scoring threats for the Owls.
The Islanders best chance to score came in the fourth. After reaching on a fielding error and moving into scoring position, sophomore Zacarias Hardy was allowed to move to third after Rice pitcher Ricardo Salinas was called for a balk. It was a prime spot for the Islanders to get back in the game but a strikeout and a groundout put an end to the scoring opportunity.
Salinas was able to calm the Islanders offense though, retiring six-straight batters until senior outfielder Jordan Lee sent a ball up the middle for a two-out base hit in the sixth inning.
Rice would add an insurance run in the sixth after Ryan Chandler picked up his second hit of the night after driving a ball to the gap in left field. It allowed Hunter Kopycinski to make his way all the way from first to score. A relay throw from Thomas was on line to the plate, but just as Kopycinski slid into Lukas Hermanson at the plate and was called safe.
A&M-Corpus Christi picked up a leadoff runner in the top of the ninth in Hardy. The Keller, Texas native advanced all the way to third but was left stranded.
Kyle Danford and Lee paced the Islanders with two hits apiece.
It marks the third time this year the Islanders have been shutout. Overall, the Islanders are winless against Rice in 15 chances.
It was a staff game for both teams as we saw a total of 13 pitchers. Dalton D'Spain takes the loss for the Islanders, dropping the junior to 0-2 on the season. Rice's Blake Box picked up the win.
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