Wayne Graham Outcoaches Smoke Et. Al., Wins at Alex Box 9-7

Rice starter Joe Savery (and a great sinker ball) totally dominated LSU
for 7.1 innings and the Owls scored four in the 7th on only one hit (&
three errors, wild pitches, walks), to win the marble round game 9-7,
Saturday Nite in Baton Rouge.

Shoddy defense spoiled a respectable outing by Greg Smith, who pitched
well enough to keep LSU in it until the disasterous 7th.

Lance Pendleton, Rice's nine hole hitter, had two 2 run doubles in the
early going to give Rice a 4-0 lead after three.

LSU continues to play as if they are undercoached and undisciplined,
and it shows glaringly against a quality coached team like Rice. If
Graham had LSU's talent, they would have the #1 seed.

The Tiger bats finally came alive late against Rice relievers with a
pair of 3 run homers in the eighth, but it was too little, too late for
the senior laden home team. At least thirteen current Tigers will not
be back next season, due to graduation and used up eligibilty. I wonder
how LSU will do without much talent to work with next season?

One bright spot for LSU, was the big game offensively for Ryan
Patterson, who had been in a slump for the last four or five games.
Patterson had a big night with two hits, a double, and a three run
homer. The game ended with Patterson (at the plate, as the tying run)
striking out on a controversial checked swing called by the home plate
umpire. The replay showed the bat well behind the hands and the bat
never crossed the plate.

LSU has to play Northwestern State on Sunday in the early elimination
game, for another crack at the Owls.

The good guys certainly have the talent to get back in this thing, but
they will have to screw their heads on straight, and also not forget
their gloves to do it.

Geaux Tigers!! Beat The Demons!
WDS from Baton Rouge

RiverRat wrote:

> LSU continues to play as if they are undercoached and undisciplined,
> and it shows glaringly against a quality coached team like Rice. If
> Graham had LSU's talent, they would have the #1 seed.

Graham's got better talent than LSU, but the Owls' relative
inexperience made them a #2 seed (although perhaps the strongest #2
seed in the tournament field).

> The Tiger bats finally came alive late against Rice relievers with a
> pair of 3 run homers in the eighth, but it was too little, too late for
> the senior laden home team. At least thirteen current Tigers will not
> be back next season, due to graduation and used up eligibilty. I wonder
> how LSU will do without much talent to work with next season?

New coach, perhaps? I hear Mark Johnson is available....

> The good guys....

Don't make me explain this one to you again....

Jonathan Sadow
jonsadow.RemoveThis@yahoo.com
The William Marsh Rice University
The Eternal Southwest Conference Champion
The 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Western
Athletic Conference Baseball Champion
The 2003 NCAA Division I College World Series Champion
The future home of the George W. Bush Presidential Library