Rice--
The Owls have lost the first game in each of their three CWS appearances, falling to eventual champions LSU in 1997 and Miami (Fla.) in 1999 before Saturday's 2-1 loss to Texas. Rice played well enough to beat the Longhorns, but didn't get any breaks.
Still, the team was loose and upbeat during Sunday's practice.
"We're still alive, and they realize that they played well," Rice coach Wayne Graham said. "I think it helps you even if you lose to know that you play well, and they believe they played well enough to win. They just got a couple of bad breaks."
Freshman righthander Philip Humber (11-1, 2.67 ERA) will get the start today.
Although he was named national co-freshman of the year, Humber wasn't used in Rice's two-game sweep of LSU in the super regional and hasn't pitched since getting a no-decision in the Owls' 7-6 regional loss to Washington on June 2.
"I've been champing at the bit," Humber said. "I'm up to the challenge. I guess our season is on the line, but you can't really think of it like that. We think we're going to be here for a while, so it's just another game."
Graham admitted Humber's inactivity was somewhat of a concern, but believed he has enough stuff to get the job done. Humber will be facing a Notre Dame team that could have as many as six lefthanded hitters.
"If his three pitches are working well, he matches up all right," Graham said. "You think that against that type of team it would be better if you had a good lefthander, but that's not always the case."
Lefthander Justin Crowder was originally penciled in to start today's game no matter happened Saturday, but he tossed an inning of relief against Texas. Crowder will be one of the first arms Graham will turn in the bullpen today, but if Crowder doesn't pitch against the Irish, he will be available to start Tuesday if necessary.
Notre Dame starting Chris Niesel--
http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/06/17/sports.20020617-sbt-MICH-B1-Freshmen_hold.sto
The Owls have lost the first game in each of their three CWS appearances, falling to eventual champions LSU in 1997 and Miami (Fla.) in 1999 before Saturday's 2-1 loss to Texas. Rice played well enough to beat the Longhorns, but didn't get any breaks.
Still, the team was loose and upbeat during Sunday's practice.
"We're still alive, and they realize that they played well," Rice coach Wayne Graham said. "I think it helps you even if you lose to know that you play well, and they believe they played well enough to win. They just got a couple of bad breaks."
Freshman righthander Philip Humber (11-1, 2.67 ERA) will get the start today.
Although he was named national co-freshman of the year, Humber wasn't used in Rice's two-game sweep of LSU in the super regional and hasn't pitched since getting a no-decision in the Owls' 7-6 regional loss to Washington on June 2.
"I've been champing at the bit," Humber said. "I'm up to the challenge. I guess our season is on the line, but you can't really think of it like that. We think we're going to be here for a while, so it's just another game."
Graham admitted Humber's inactivity was somewhat of a concern, but believed he has enough stuff to get the job done. Humber will be facing a Notre Dame team that could have as many as six lefthanded hitters.
"If his three pitches are working well, he matches up all right," Graham said. "You think that against that type of team it would be better if you had a good lefthander, but that's not always the case."
Lefthander Justin Crowder was originally penciled in to start today's game no matter happened Saturday, but he tossed an inning of relief against Texas. Crowder will be one of the first arms Graham will turn in the bullpen today, but if Crowder doesn't pitch against the Irish, he will be available to start Tuesday if necessary.
Notre Dame starting Chris Niesel--
http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/06/17/sports.20020617-sbt-MICH-B1-Freshmen_hold.sto
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