May 29, 1999

LUBBOCK, Texas - Rice exploded for an NCAA tournament record 33 hits to pound Wisconsin-Milwaukee 27-1 in an elimination game Saturday night at Dan Law Field.

The top-ranked Owls (54-12) now play Texas Tech for the regional title Sunday at 2 pm, but Rice will need to beat the Red Raiders twice to advance to next weekend's super-regional playoff.

Will Ford tied a tournament record with six hits (including three doubles) and eight at-bats in leading the Rice attack. Jason Gray went 5/5 with five runs and and five runs batted in, as 10 players had multi-hit games.

Charles Williams' home run in the ninth tied the old tournament record of 31 hits, and the new mark was set on Ford's third double three batters later.

Rice's 33 hits were one off the school record of 34 set against Cincinnati in 1997, and the 27 runs equaled the fourth-best game total ever at Rice.

The Owls jumped on UWM starter Corey Clemmons (4-4) for five runs in the first and never looked back. Rice scored in every inning except the sixth.

The huge start allowed Rice coach Wayne Graham to save some pitching for Sunday's schedule. Starter Kenny Baugh threw only 33 pitches on the first two innings, then gave way to Peter Terrana (1-0) for the next six. He allowed the Panthers five hits and their only run in the longest outing of his career.

Earlier Saturday, Rice eliminated Rutgers 6-1. The Owls dropped into the loser's bracket with an 8-4 loss to UWM on Friday. Tech moved to the finals with an 8-5 comeback win over UWM Saturday afternoon.