University Southern California Trojans
USC
Rice (Round Rock BB Classic)
No. 12 Rice Defeats No. 23 USC Baseball, 12-1
March 05, 2005 | Baseball
March 5, 2005
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The No. 12 Rice Owls used a 15-hit attack Saturday and strong pitching performance by Josh Geer for a 12-1 victory over the No. 23 USC Trojans in day two action at the Maxwell Auto Group Round Rock Classic. The game was halted after seven innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.
First baseman Adam Rodgers went 2-for-4 with four RBI while second baseman Josh Rodriguez went 3-for-3 with three RBI for Rice (12-3). Geer improved to 4-0 on the season after seven innings, allowing one run on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
Brett Bannister fell to 2-1 overall after allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two as USC is now 6-4 on the season.
Center fielder Tyler Henley led off with a double in the Rice first. He advanced to third on a sacrifice by Bobby Bramhall. After designated hitter Joe Savery was intentionally walked, Rodgers hit a ground ball to second to set up a possible inning-ending double play, but Rodgers beat the throw for Rice's first run.
The Owls loaded the bases during the second, third and fourth innings against Bannister. Rodriguez delivered a two-run single in the third. In the fourth, Brian Friday hit his first homer of the season with a solo shot to left, followed by a two-run single by Rodgers to knock out Bannister with a 6-0 lead. Right fielder Lance Pendleton greeted reliever Jack Spradlin with an RBI single up the middle for another run. Rice scored five runs in the fourth and added four more in the fifth.
Blake Sharpe singled to right to score Lucas Duda for the Trojans' only run of the game in the sixth.
USC will play No. 21 Nebraska tomorrow with a 10 a.m. Central start. The game from the Dell Diamond will not be broadcast, but Gametracker live stats will be available at usctrojans.com.
RICE 102-540-0---12-15-0USC 000-001-0---1-4-0
Game halted after seven innings due to 10-run mercy rule
WP-Geer (4-0) LP-Bannister (2-1)T: 2:17 ATT: 605Records: USC (6-4) Rice (12-3)
Geer and Lehmann.Bannister, Spradlin (7) and Clement.
