June 06, 2004
No. 14 Texas A&M received a complete-game effort from Zach Jackson, as did No. 4 Rice from Jeff Niemann, who held the Aggies in check to lead the Owls to a 3-1 win and force a second championship game in NCAA Regional action at Reckling Park on Sunday.
Niemann (6-3) outdueled Jackson and did not allow a hit in the final 5.2 innings and fanned nine A&M batters in the process. Jackson (10-6) also fanned nine and walked just two in the process.
With the loss Texas A&M dropped to 41-20 on the season while Rice improved to 46-13.
Rice took the early advantage with a run in the bottom of the first off Jackson. Josh Rodriguez drew a lead-off walk and advanced to third on a single to left by Austin Davis. A sacrifice fly to center by Paul Janish plated Rodriguez for the game's first run.
The Owls scored again in the bottom of the second to stretch their lead to 2-0. Adam Morris and Clay Reichenbach singled with one out and Matt Cavanaugh delivered a RBI-single with two outs to score Morris.
Texas A&M scored its first run of the game in the top of the third to cut the Rice lead to one run. Travis Bartek started the inning by drawing a walk off Niemann and advanced to second on a balk. With two outs, Cliff Pennington ripped a single into right, allowing Bartek to score.
Rice loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the fifth, but Jackson held the Owls to one run in the frame. After a sacrifice fly by Morris, Jackson fanned Reichenbach and coaxed Adam Hale to groundout to second to end the inning and limit the threat.
The 4,841 fans in attendance was the second largest crowd in Reckling Park history behind the record crowd of 5,076 who watched A&M beat Lamar on Saturday.