Knights chase Owls to no avail

For the third time this season, the Knights won one and lost two of a three-game series against a Conference USA foe. This past weekend they fell to Rice, dropping their overall record to 24-14 and 6-6 in the C-USA.

A big eighth inning in the third and deciding game of the series ended the Knights chances of taking their second conference series of the year. That's because the Owls went on a five-run rally to open up a massive lead on the Knights, who were unable to catch up in the batter's box. The Owls would win 13-8.

But the loss didn't come without some offensive heroics by some key Knights hitters. Left fielder Chris Duffy went 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs in the game, including his 14th double of the season. Second baseman Austin Johnston hammered his third homer of the season on the way to a 2-for-4, 2 RBI game. Beau Taylor went 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs also.

The pitcher's mound wasn't as much fun for the Knights, who were shelled over the course of nine innings. They would need eight pitchers to finish the game, with Bryan Brown maxing out at two innings, giving up two earned runs in the process. Starter Joe Rogers only lasted an inning, giving up 5 hits and a run.

The Knights hit the road for a three-game series in Charleston, W.V., against Marshall, starting at 2:05 p.m. Friday. They'll return April 30 to host Memphis.

Rollins

The Tars jumped to 29-15 on the season and 11-7 in the Sunshine State Conference after sweeping Eckerd in a three-game series in St. Petersburg.

The final 12-5 win marked the third time in the series that the Tars would score double-digit runs.

Providing most of the firepower for the Tars was first baseman Kevin Mager, who blasted a grand slam in the sixth inning to help start an eight-run rally.

On Friday the Tars travel to face Barry. On April 30 they return to host Palm Beach Atlantic.