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Rice Football 2023 Spring Practice Notebook 7: Big picture questions

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The last practice before the 2023 Rice Football spring game has wrapped up and there are several questions that still need answering as spring ball ends.

All eyes were focused on the arrival of transfer quarterback JT Daniels, who took the field for the first time this spring. Would he live up to expectations? Early returns have been superb. But with quarterback (thankfully) solved, there are other outstanding questions that Rice football hasn’t found the answers to just yet and spring is rapidly drawing to a close.

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The roster is strong, but is the depth there?

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Bullpen roulette bites Rice Baseball against McNeese State

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Rice baseball got hits from eight of nine starters, but bullpen woes ultimately cost them a winnable game against McNeese State.

When Tom Vincent managed to record just four outs during the second-midweek game of the week, things had the potential to go south quickly for a Rice baseball squad with limited pitching depth against a McNeese State team that entered the game 21-11 on the season. Jack Ben-Shoshan limited the damage to just three runs and Blake Brogdon followed with a fantastic 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.

No longer spiraling, it seemed like the pitching staff was going to give this team a chance. Aaron Smigelski got Rice on the board with an RBI double in the third. Guy Garibay and Connor Walsh delivered back-to-back RBI singles in the fifth, driving in three to put Rice ahead 4-3. The Owls had battled back.

Last Time Out: Rice Baseball rallies past Lamar

Matthew Linskey surrendered the lead in the top of the sixth, but Ben Royo took it right back in the bottom of the frame. Tyler Hamilton got Rice to the ninth up by two, but Garret Zaskoda scuttled the save, allowing three runs in the ninth. The Owls would get the tying run to third base but Walsh’s last-ditch liner fell a few shy of the fence, a loud fly out to end a disappointing game.

What it means | Bullpen Roulette

The lack of depth on the pitching side has been an issue for Rice baseball all year and it reared its ugly head again on Wednesday. Of the seven pitchers Rice called upon in the game, Vincent, Linskey and Zaskoda each had bad outings. Mark Perkins, the seventh arm, was only called upon after Zaskoda blew a two-run lead in the ninth.

It wouldn’t be fair to expect every reliever to bring his A-game on every night, particularly not in a midweek game when teams are typically reaching further down their staff. Still, having a fifty-fifty chance of a disastrous inning won’t work either.

The Owls might have to seriously consider changing their strategy on the mound. If Brogdon is dealing through 2.2 innings, leave him in. If Tyler Hamilton has allowed one hit in two innings, leave him in. The alternative is spinning the wheel again and the odds aren’t looking very good right now.

ON DECK | vs Charlotte (Fri-Sun)

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Young arms, timely bats lift Rice baseball past Lamar

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Rice baseball road a pair of young arms and an explosive seventh inning rally from the bats to a midweek win against Lamar on Tuesday.

Making his first career start, Garrett Stratton tossed a scoreless first inning before falling behind in the second on a sacrifice fly. The deficit wouldn’t last for long, though, with Paul Smith tying the game in the bottom half of the inning and Connor Walsh putting Rice in front in the third.

Leading 2-1, head coach Jose Cruz Jr. turned to Ryland Urbanczyk who delivered a masterful four-inning, two-hit performance to keep Lamar off the scoreboard. His replacement, Cristian Cienfuegos, was not as fortunate, allowing the visitors to tie the game in the top of the event before Krishna Raj came in to stem the bleeding.

Last Time Out: Rice Baseball drops water-logged series to Louisiana Tech

Locked at three runs apiece, Rice loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning. Guy Garibay walked to put Rice in front. Two batters later, Walsh singled in two more. It was Jack Riedel who delivered the extra cherry on top, taking home on a double steal to put Rice in front 7-3, the game’s final score.

What it means | The future on the mound?

Garrett Stratton and Ryalnd Urbanczyk were two of the most heralded freshman additions to the pitching staff this offseason. Injuries cost Stratton time early in the season and Urbanczyk was limited to just five appearances coming into Tuesday night. That tandem produced one of the better piggyback midweek performances the Owls have had in a game this season.

The pitching staff has been an adventure at times behind Parker Smith. Stratton and Urbanczyk might not be able to become firemen out of the pen quite yet this season, but the future is bright. Tuesday was just a glimpse.

ON DECK | vs LA Tech (Thr-Sat)

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Rice Football Recruiting: ’24 LB Kaleb Blanton commits to Owls

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The 2024 Rice Football recruiting class continues its steady rise, this time bolstering its defensive ranks. Linebacker Kaleb “KB” Blanton has committed to the Owls.

The second defensive commitment of the 2024 Rice Football recruiting class is in the fold and it’s a big one. Linebacker Kaleb “KB” Blanton has committed to the Owls. Originally offered by Rice in February, Blanton has been a coveted target for some time.

The Manvel High School star was on campus to check out practice on Monday and made his pledge public less than 24 hours later. He’s the first local player from the greater Houston area to join the 2024 class. For him, it was an easy decision. “As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed,” Blanton told The Roost. “It was almost as if I was already a part of their family.”

Blanton is a three-star recruit according to 247 Sports, and a highly regarded player in their esteem, too. His current composite rating makes him the highest rated commit in the 2024 class and puts him fifth all-time in program history. Blanton chose Rice over offers from Arizona, UTSA, Marshall, UNLV, Arkansas State and others.

With Blanton on board, the Owls now have three commits in the 2024 class. Wideout Owen Carter was the first to make his intentions known, committing in January. Defensive lineman Armstrong Nnodim came a month later in February and Blanton’s commitment rounds out a potent beginning trio, all of which are three-star recruits.

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The reasons for wanting Blanton on the field at South Main become readily apparent as soon as your turn on the film. Blanton said he prides himself on his “ability to change direction, close space, cover and recognized plays on the field before anyone else.” All things that stand out quickly when watching him play.

His ability athleticism and awareness make him a difference-maker wherever he lines up on the field. For a program like Rice that emphasizes range and closing speed, Blanton fits the bill perfectly. His ability to deliver a punishing blow when he gets there is a cherry on top.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: Cal transfer Sam Alajiki commits to Owls

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The first Rice Basketball recruiting boost of the offseason has appeared. Cal transfer Sam Alajiki has committed to the Owls.

The end of the season brought notices of departure on the Rice basketball recruiting front as the Owls staff worked to find the proper replacements. Rice had already made a splash with the commitments of Keanu Dawes and Gabe Warren but a seasoned addition from the Transfer Portal was certainly expected. News of the first such new arrival has been announced in the form of Cal transfer Sam Alajiki.

Alajiki is a former Pac-12 All-Freshman team selection who made his mark with the Golden Bears quickly upon arrival, tying Cal’s program record for three point percentage in a season (50 percent on 20-of-40 attempts) in his freshman campaign.

As a sophomore, Alajiki averaged 6.1 points per game leading the Bears in three-point shooting (35.9 percent). Things began to pick up for him down the stretch with Alajiki making starts in 10 of the final 11 games, including four double-digit performances in the final nine contests.

Standing 6-foot-7, Alajiki brings size along with his shooting to South Main, as well as additional experience on the international game. Alajiki is originally from Dundalk, Ireland and averaged 13 points and six rebounds for the Irish national team in the 2022 U-20 FIBA European Championships.

Alajiki should be a valuable asset for the Owls, who are expected to return four of five starters as they make the move to the AAC next season.

Rice basketball fans will hopefully being seeing a lot of this from Alajiki when he arrives at South Main

 

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