HOUSTON — The Rice Owls scored four unearned runs to thump the TCU Horned Frogs 12-2 Sunday night in the finale of the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
Pitcher Jared Janczak took the loss, his first of the season, after allowing three runs on two hits.
Rice took a 3-0 lead in the second inning with a pair of singles, a hit by pitch, and a walk. A sacrifice fly ball helped the Owls establish three runs to nothing from TCU.
Hunter Wolfe tripled for the Horned Frogs in the third inning, and Porter Brown drove him home to help TCU crack the goose egg on the scoreboard, 3-1.
The Owls committed an error that gave TCU hope in the fifth inning. As Alex Isola grounded to short, the Rice shortstop rifled the ball into the camera well, which allowed Brown to score and pull the Frogs within one, 3-2.
However, Rice produced three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Two extra-base hits were part of the three runs, and the Owls had a 6-2 lead. When Rice collected a six-run sixth inning, it was all over but the screaming and shouting for TCU as the 12-2 score held until the conclusion of the ninth inning.
TCU goes home to Lupton Field Tuesday for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch versus Stephen F. Austin and hopes to improve their now 6-4 record.