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Sunday, May 24, 1998

Mississippi State 15, Rice 14

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ / AP Sports Writer

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Travis Chapman hit a three-run homer during a 10-run sixth inning that rallied Mississippi State to a 15-14 victory Saturday and eliminated top-seeded Rice from the NCAA Central Region playoffs.

The Bulldogs advanced to Saturday night's game against unbeaten and second- seeded Texas A&M.

Mississippi State trailed 13-5 at the start of the sixth. But when it was over, it had sent 14 batters to the plate and scored 10 runs off eight hits, highlighted by Chapman's homer that cut Rice's lead to 13-12.

Four batters later, with two out, Brian Wiese drove a single to center field scoring two runs for the lead. Rusty Thoms followed with an RBI single for a 15-13 advantage.

Despite blowing the big lead, the Owls made it interesting in a wild ninth inning starting with Jason Richards' homer.

The Owls then got runners at first and second with two out on singles by Damon Thames and Kevin Hodge -- before Jacob Baker grounded out to end the comeback attempt.

The Bulldogs got the first out of the ninth inning when a line drive by Charles Williams bounced off Bulldog pitcher Van Johnson and was caught by second baseman Ryan McGrath.

With the score tied 2-2, the Owls took early charge with a six-run second inning off Chris Reinike with six consecutive hits including Bubba Crosby's grand-slam homer and RBI hits by Zane Curry and Jason Richards.

The Owls got two runs in the first on a double by Williams and Thames. The Bulldogs tied it in the first off Rice starter Kenny Baugh.

Mississippi State got a three-run double from Brooks Bryan in the fifth that cut Rice's lead to 9-5 but the Owls took their 13-5 lead with a four more runs in the sixth.

Johnson (3-0) pitched 3 1-3 innings and allowed two runs for the victory. Marc Gwyn pitched the final 2 2-3 innings for Rice and got the loss.