March 13, 2009

Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas - The 20th-ranked University of San Diego baseball team (8-9) suffered its third straight loss, a 4-1 decision, to No. 5 Rice University (10-4) Friday evening in a non-conference game at Reckling Park.

Rice received a complete game one-hit performance from Ryan Berry (3-0) on the mound as he allowed one run and struck out eight USD batters.

The Owls got on the scoreboard first, as they scored three runs on two hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Rice runs came on a wild pitch, and a two-run single by Chad Mozingo to give the Owls a 3-0 lead.

The Toreros took back one run in the top of the seventh inning. Kevin Muno was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a Sean Nicol ground out to the second baseman. After Muno moved to third on a James Meador ground out to the third baseman, Muno would score on a fielding error by the Rice centerfielder to move the score to 4-1.

An Anthony Rendon solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning put the game at its final of 4-1.

Offensively for the Toreros, Bryan Haar was the lone Torero to record a hit.

Kyle Blair (1-1) was saddled with the loss on the mound for the Toreros, as he allowed four runs, one earned, while striking out nine in 8.0 innings of work.

USD will return to action on Saturday as they continue the four-game series with Rice in a 12 p.m. game