Wow, loaded prospect college game today

And it could not have been better. I went to the Minute Maid Classic today, featuring Rice vs Texas and TCU vs Houston. The UT/Rice game had half a dozen potential first round draft picks. They did not disappoint, that's for sure. I've been to LCS games, but no game I have ever been to had the vibe and atmosphere of this game. Over 27,000 people showed up for the UT Rice game, the 4th largest crowd in NCAA history (includes CWS games). The crowd was split down the middle as well. The game featured 2006 potential first rounder Kyle McCulloch against 2007 potential #1 overall pick Joe Savery.

And it could not have been better. I went to the Minute Maid Classic today, featuring Rice vs Texas and TCU vs Houston. The UT/Rice game had half a dozen potential first round draft picks. They did not disappoint, that's for sure. I've been to LCS games, but no game I have ever been to had the vibe and atmosphere of this game. Over 27,000 people showed up for the UT Rice game, the 4th largest crowd in NCAA history (includes CWS games). The crowd was split down the middle as well. The game featured 2006 potential first rounder Kyle McCulloch against 2007 potential #1 overall pick Joe Savery.

Because Savery was on the mound, he was not hitting against McCulloch, nor was Texas stud lefties Jordan Danks (2008 first rounder guaranteed) or Kyle Russell (2008 potential first rounder). McCulloch and Savery breezed through the first innings unscathed. McCulloch got through the second with a line drive single to Drew Stubbs (2006 potential #1 overall). Savery gave up a double in the second to Preston Clark (2006 top 5 round pick). The next hitter doubled to CF but on the relay Rice SS Josh Rodriguez (potential 2006 first round pick) gunned out Clark at the plate. Savery got out of the inning without any runs.

In the top of the third Bobby Bramhall led off with a double to CF and was thrown out by Drew Stubbs at third with a great throw.. After an out and a single, Freshman 3rd hole hitter Aaron Luna (more on him later) singled to give Rice an early 1-0 lead. The lead did not last long. Joe Savery run into a little of trouble in the third. With a runner on third, 2 outs and an 0-2 count on Drew Stubbs, Savery threw a wild pitch allowing the tying run to score. The next 3 frames were scoreless and uneventful. McCulloch had settled down, but Savery was having issues controlling his slide piece. In the bottom half of the 5th he gave up 2 consecutive singles to the last two hitters on UT. They were later singled in by SS Chais Fuller, 3-1 Texas. The 6th and 7th innings were dominated by McCulloch and Savery. Both guys were removed before the 8th. Savery was placed into the lineup, he's their best hitter.

And then it got interesting. The last two innings were pure excitement. UT brought in their closer, Kenn Kasparek (2006 potential top 3 round pick). Kasparek got the first two hitters without any problems. Brian Friday (2007 potential top 10 rounder) singled. Savery walked. Danny Lehmann (2006 top 5 round pick) singled. All three batters went to 3-2 counts. With a 3-2 count Bramhall hit a grounder to third, who throws it in the dirt and the 1B cannot pick it up, Friday and Savery score, 3-3 game. UT Freshman lefty Kyle Walker took over for Kasperak. Walker struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced on Wednesday. He K'd the batter he faced. The UT inning was uneventful.

Walker came out for the ninth. He struck out the first batter, then plunked Aaron Luna and Josh Rodriguez. He struck out the next hitter. And Joe Savery came up, worked the count to 3-2. Then hit a grounder to short, Fuller makes a high throw, Luna scores the go ahead run. Walker K's Lehman.

Rice closer Bryce Cox struck out the first hitter, then walked one, then struck out one. Then potential 2008 first rounder Kyle Russell stepped to the plate. Down 1 run. Runner on. The lefty deposits the second pitch he sees into the Crawford boxes. Walk-off pinch hit HR to win.

Again, the 27,000 fans created an amazing vibe for a college game, and no doubt Texans love their baseball. 27,000 for a college game in February. Wow.

Aaron Luna is making a name for himself. The Corpus Christi product homered in his first three ABs as a Rice Owl. He homered again on Friday to make it 4 in 4 games. With him Rodriguez and Savery the Owls have a torrid middle of the order.