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Rice Football 2023 Spring Practice Notebook 6: Scrimmage 2

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Rice Football completed its second scrimmage of the spring this past weekend, which went better for the offense but still wasn’t a perfect showing.

After a near-dominant showing by the Rice football defense in the first scrimmage of the spring, the offense took a step forward in the second scrimmage, carried by big days from the running backs. This update covers the highlights (and lowlights) from the session as well as a few individuals who stood out to members of the coaching staff.

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Running round the clock

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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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Rice Baseball drops water-logged series to Louisiana Tech

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Rice Baseball lost a compressed weekend series to Louisiana Tech, salvaging a split of a seven-inning doubleheader to avoid a sweep at home.

FRIDAY | LA Tech 6 – Rice 4

Rice starter Parker Smith looked lost in the early portions of the series opener on Friday night. His command was loose and he was hit early and often, facing seven hitters and allowing two runs in the first inning before allowing the first two batters in the second to reach base. Head coach Jose Cruz Jr. stuck with his ace. “All of a sudden, the next thing you know, he throws six innings, right?” Cruz chuckled.

Smith was lifted after 5.2 innings when an error extended an inning he should have escaped from, and eventually did thanks to a quick out from reliever Cristian Cienfuegos. The bats for those two runs back in the second, tying the game on an RBI triple from Ben Royo and a subsequent single by Manny Garza. The score would level again at 4-4 with reliever Matthew Linskey surrendering two solo home runs later before Louisiana Tech tagged Krishna Raj with two runs in the ninth to win it.

SATURDAY AM | LA Tech 5 – Rice 4 (7 inn.)

Brody Drost for Louisiana Tech and Guy Garibay for Rice exchanged solo home runs in the second in a quick but otherwise quiet offensive game through the early innings. At least, that was the case until Rice starter JD McCracken found himself in a jam in the fifth inning. After loading the bases on a single, walk and hit batsman, he gave up the lead on a single to right field and was lifted for Justin Long.

Long was unable to limit the damage, though, and it might have been the difference in the game. Louisiana Tech cleared the bases with a double then tacked on a sac fly. Leading 5-1, Rice got three runs in the seventh but stranded the tying run on first base.

SATURDAY PM | Rice 4 – LA Tech 0 (7 inn.)

Jacob Devenney, rewarded for his pinch-hit RBI single in the early game, drew the start in the finale and came around to score the go-ahead run in the first inning on a double from Aaron Smigelski. Neither team would score in the second, third or fourth innings as Rice starter Tom Vincent delivered one his best outings of the season (3 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs) and the bullpen — specifically Cristian Cienfuegos, Tyler Hamilton, Krishna Raj and Jack Ben-Shoshan — kept Louisiana Tech off the board completely.

Rice picked up insurance in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on a couple of infield singles and walks. Leading 4-0, Ben-Shoshan was able to hang on a close the door, albeit with some drama in the final moments.

THREE FOR THE ROAD

Despite outscoring its opponent this time around, Rice baseball dropped its third consecutive Conference USA series, all by 2-1 margins. Louisiana Tech had the upper hand this weekend. Here are a few takeaways from the series.

1. Unclutch

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ON DECK | vs Lamar (Tues), vs McNeese State (Wed), vs Charlotte (Fri-Sun)

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Rice Baseball: 2023 MiLB Owls early season update

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While several Rice Baseball alums are producing at the highest level, others are working their way up the ladder. Here’s the latest on the MiLB Owls.

Triple-A

Jon Duplantier (Phillies) spent the 2022 season in the Dodgers organization at the AAA level before electing free agency this winter. He signed a minor league deal with the Phillies in January and was a non-roster invite to big league spring training. He will open the season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Tristan Gray (Rays) was a non-roster invite to Rays’ spring training. He will begin the season with the Durham Bulls.

Ford Proctor (Giants) was traded last season from the Rays to Giants, making his big league debut in September. He was a non-roster invite to Giants spring training before beginning the season with the Sacramento River Cats.

Dane Myers (Marlins) spent last season with the Erie Seawolves, the AA affiliate of the Detriot Tigers before being claimed off waivers this winter by the Marlins. He will begin the season with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Marlins’ AAA team.

Double-A

Matt Canterino (Twins) spent a large chunk of last season on the injured list. After completing a rehab assignment this summer with the FCL Twins, Canterino will return to the Wichita Wind Surge this spring.

Trei Cruz (Tigers) a third-round draft selection by the Tigers in 2020, Cruz will begin the 2023 season with the Erie SeaWolves, Detriot’s AA affiliate.

More on Rice Baseball: Latest from the MLB Owls

Evan Kravetz (Reds) most recently appeared in a World Baseball Classic game with team Israel this offseason. He’s now returned to minor league ball and will start the season with the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Reds’ AA affiliate.

Ricky Salinas (Reds) elected retirement this past offseason, concluding a five-year minor league career that began in rookie ball in 2018 before climbing to the AA level and remaining there in 2021 and 2022.

Single-A

Roel Garcia (Rays, High-A) was drafted by the Rays in the 14th Round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He made a brief stint in summer ball following his signing last year and will start the 2023 season with the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Ray’s High-A affiliate.

Cooper Chandler (Orioles) signed with the Orioles as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 MLB Draft and appeared in a brief summer ball stint. He’ll start the 2023 season with the Delmarva Shorebirds, the single-A team of the Orioles.

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Rice Women’s Basketball: 2023 Post-Season State of the Program

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The 2022-2023 Rice women’s basketball season was filled with highs and lows. Where does the program stand as it enters the offseason?

A fast start followed by a rough beginning to conference play set the stage for an eventful 2022-2023 Rice Women’s Basketball season. Head coach Lindsay Edmonds worked through roster limitations and injuries to take her team to the WNIT and delivered her first postseason conference tournament win of her coaching career.

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The Owls finished 23-9 (13-7) this season, a sizable step up from a 14-13 (8-9) campaign the season prior. Now that the dust has settled, where does the program stand as it moves forward?

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