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Section: Sports Section: College Baseball Section: High School Notebook Current stories in College Baseball: |
May 5, 2005, 11:14PM COLLEGE BASEBALL NOTEBOOKFreshmen growing up fast at RiceSavery, Henley, Lehmann stand out as Owls go on top of WAC standingsBy MOISEKAPENDA BOWERCopyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Through fall practice and spring drills, Rice coach Wayne Graham expressed unwavering confidence in a freshman class groomed to make contributions this season. With 11 games left in the regular season, those freshmen are exceeding expectations.
Questionable pitch selection, streaky hitting and shaky defense have produced moments of spotty play, but that was anticipated. What was unforeseen is how well the newcomers have taken to the challenge of starting for a program two seasons removed from winning a national championship. No. 15 Rice is again perched atop the WAC standings and heading toward hosting an NCAA regional. The Owls could not have enjoyed such success without their unflappable freshmen. "I don't think you can expect every freshman to make a total adjustment to Division I, but we've obviously got three that are basically starters and have performed well," Graham said of pitcher/first baseman Joe Savery, catcher Danny Lehmann and center fielder Tyler Henley. "Without them, we wouldn't be in the position we're in." Henley has a .403 on-base percentage batting leadoff. He leads the WAC with 48 runs and has displayed power (four homers), speed (nine steals) and defense (five assists). Lehmann has made just one error and committed only three passed balls in 37 starts behind the plate. His power numbers (six homers, 26 RBIs) have been a pleasant surprise, and he has handled the pitching staff well, Savery in particular. Savery was the centerpiece of the class and has performed accordingly. He leads the WAC in batting (.393) and strikeouts by a pitcher (101), and is second in ERA (1.86). He was named midseason freshman of the year by Baseball America and was one of three freshmen invited to the USA Baseball national team trials in late June in Raleigh, N.C. Jordan Dodson, Derek Myers and Bobby Bramhall have made a first-year impact, as did shortstop Brian Friday, who made 36 starts before wholesale changes in the defensive alignment. Cole St. Clair (1-0, 2.31 ERA) and Bobby Bell (2-0, 2.38) have been extraordinary out of the bullpen. St. Clair is averaging 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings while Bell has a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio while allowing opponents a .186 batting average against. "Those are the other two that have had a significant impact," Graham said. With so many freshmen playing significant roles and sophomores entrenched in left field (Adam Hale) and at shortstop (Josh Rodriguez), the Owls appear set for 2006 and beyond. Rice has two seniors (Adam Rodgers and Clay Reichenbach) contributing and a handful of juniors who may sign with professional clubs this summer. Should those juniors return, and if the heralded incoming recruits meet expectations, these freshmen may get a chance to win a national title. "When we had this recruiting class, we felt like, particularly if we had a good year this year, we were going to have three good years in a row," Graham said.
Prairie View now a forcePrairie View A&M will play Sam Houston State on Saturday before participating in its first SWAC tournament May 18-22 in Birmingham, Ala.In just his third season, Panthers coach Michael Robertson has transformed the woebegone Prairie View program into a viable threat to earn an NCAA tournament berth. By developing speed (PV has 146 steals) and pitching (the Panthers' 5.82 ERA ranks second in the SWAC), Robertson has the team positioned to threaten defending champion TSU, Southern and Mississippi Valley State for the SWAC title. "We have definitely got the right mix of talented kids here," Robertson said. "Our kids are not short of confidence going into this tournament. They know it's just a matter of us putting everything together." Wrandal Taylor (8-4, 4.11 ERA) and Matthew Chase (6-4 with a SWAC-leading 2.53 ERA) have been solid at the front of the rotation despite Chase being limited by a biceps tear suffered earlier this season. The bullpen, led by Jacob Gibson (three saves) and Brian Lloyd (1-0, 2.92) has been steady, a necessity considering the defensive fluctuations. Robertson rotated three second basemen before sticking with Paul Johnson. Wilford White eventually settled in at shortstop and the outfield was stabilized when Anthony Dickson (left), Marcus Crockett (center) and Anton Daley (right) grew comfortable. But the Panthers rank ninth in the SWAC in fielding percentage (.916), and with an offense that is seventh in batting (.280), the pitching staff will need help in the title quest.. "It's been a constant struggle to get consistency with our defense and our hitting," Robertson said. "We still haven't put everything together — yet. I'm hoping that happens in this tournament."
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