LSUsports.net profiles NCAA Houston Regional winner Rice of Conference USA as the Owls travel to Alex Box Stadium for this weekend’s NCAA Super Regional.
Overall Record: 43-16
Conference USA Record (Finish): 16-8 (Second)
Conference USA Tournament Record (Finish): 4-0 (Champion)
NCAA Houston Regional: 4-1 (Kansas State, Xavier and Sam Houston State)
Rankings: No. 6 (Baseball America); No. 7 (Collegiate Baseball)
NCAA Super Regional Appearances: 9 (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
College World Series Appearances: 7 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Head Coach: Wayne Graham (Texas, 1970)
Year at School: 18th
Assistant Coaches: David Pierce, Mike Taylor and Patrick Hallmark
Last Appearance in Baton Rouge: 2005 (3-0 at NCAA Regional)
Projected Starters:
Jr. RH Mike Ojala (5-0, 1.73 ERA, 68 SO, 62.1 IP)
Jr. RH Ryan Berry (7-1, 2.00 ERA, 62 SO, 76.2 IP)
Fr. LH Taylor Wall (7-5, 3.45 ERA, 77 SO, 94.0 IP)
Other Notable Pitchers
Sr. RH Jared Rogers (8-3, 4.42 ERA, 7 SV, 52 SO, 53.0 IP)
So. LH Matt Evers (3-1, 6.60 ERA, 3 SV, 33 SO, 45.0 IP)
Top Position Players:
Fr. 3B Anthony Rendon (.384 AVG, 19 HR, 70 RBI)
Jr. 2B Brock Holt (.346 AVG, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 11 SB)
So. SS Rick Hague (.324 AVG, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 11 SB)
So. OF Chad Mozingo (.324 AVG, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 10 SB)
Jr. C Diego Seastrunk (.289 AVG, 6 HR, 44 RBI)
Notables:
LSU and Rice will meet for the sixth time in NCAA Postseason play … The two squads met during last season’s College World Series in an elimination game … Down 5-2 entering the ninth inning, the Tigers erupted for four runs highlighted by a Blake Dean three-run double … Rice will be making its third appearance in Baton Rouge … The Owls won the 2005 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional … This season, Rice came from the loser’s bracket to defeat Xavier (12-5) and Kansas State twice (8-0 & 13-4) to win the NCAA Houston Regional … Freshman third baseman Anthony Rendon became the first player in Conference USA history to be named the league’s Player and Freshman of the Year in the same season … Rendon also is a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award … Six additional Owls earned All-Conference USA highlighted by junior pitcher Ryan Berry on the first team … Sophomore shortstop Rick Hague, sophomore outfielder Chad Mozingo, junior pitcher Mike Ojala and senior pitcher Jordan Rogers were on the league’s second team.
NCAA Super Regional Scouting Report -- Rice