HUNTSVILLE, TX ? Nick Zaleski slapped an RBI single into right field to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as Sam Houston State edged No. 13 Rice 12-11 Tuesday night at Don Sanders Stadium.
The three-hour, 50 minute marathon saw the two teams combined for 28 hits and nine errors.
Twice, the Bearkats Rallied from behind to take the lead after being down 5-0 early. Todd Sebek, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs, delivered the game-tying single with one out in the ninth. Zaleski provided the game-winner. Prior to his hit, Zaleski had gone 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts
"I was in the right place at the right time," Zaleski said. "I had a rough night prior to that at bat. The biggest thing tonight was that everyone on the team played with high energy. We really wanted to win this game."
Rice, a College World Series semifinalist last season, started the game with back-to-back hits by Jared Gayhart and Chad Mozingo. After a double play, J. P. Padron drove in Gayhart with a single to go up 1-0.
The Owls added four more runs in the second inning. Jordan Dodson walked, Jimmy Comerota single and John Hale was safe on an error to load the bases. Dodson and Comerota scored on sacrifice flies and Padron singled in two more runs as Rice took a 5-0 lead.
Keith Stein led off the bottom of the third inning with a triple to right center then scored Sam Houston's first run on a sacrifice to right field by Bobby Verbick.
The Bearkats added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 5-4. Daniel Nottebart singled, then moved to third on a double down the left field line by Mark Wyatt. The pair both scored on a triple to right center by Todd Sebek. Keith Stein singled to center field on the first pitch by reliever Lucas Luetge to score Sebek.
Rice lengthened their lead to 7-4 on a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning on a pair of errors. An RBI single by Jordan Dodson extended the lead to 8-4 in the sixth.
Sam Houston scored five runs on one hit in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 9-8 lead. Wyatt doubled to start the inning, then Luetge walked the bases full. Wyatt scored when Verbick was hit by a pitch. Todd Sebek and Keith Stein each scored on an error by the third baseman. After reliever Matt Evers walked Heath Pugh, Verbick scored on a sacrifice fly by Weber. Nick Zaleski stole home with two out for the go-ahead run.
Rice jumped back in front 10-9 with two runs in the top of the seventh. Aaron Luna singled in the tying run and Diego Seastruck scored on an error after stealing third base. Adam Zornes hit a two-run home run in the top of the eighth to give Rice a three-run cushion.
Keith Stein started the bottom of the eighth with a single, then scored on a triple to center by Verbick. Heath Pugh singled in Verbick to cut the lead back to one run, 12-11.
Sebek tied the game 12-12 in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI single to right to score Wyatt who opened the bottom of the ninth with a single.
Jon Lindenberger was the winning pitcher, facing four batters in the top of the ninth. Bryan Price was the loser in relief.
