Annual event goes all in on Texas this year
Rice joins nationally ranked TCU, Tech among strong six-team field
Through the years, the College Baseball Classic at Minute Maid Park has kept itself fresh by changing its format while still delivering a strong six-team field. This year is no exception.
For the fourth time and first since 2019, the 21st annual Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic will be comprised of all Texas teams. Rice joins nationally ranked TCU and Texas Tech as well as Sam Houston State, Texas State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. TCU is ranked No. 10 by Baseball America and Texas Tech No. 11.
“It’s great to see Texas baseball because Texas baseball is about as good as there is in the country,” Rice coach Matt Bragga said.
“That throws in a unique element that is probably unlike anything in the country from a tournament perspective this time of the year.
“Maybe three-quarters of our team has grown up an hour or so from Houston and as Astros fans. It’s a dream come true for these guys to play at Minute Maid and this beautiful park.”
Rice (3-4) opens the three-day, nine-game tournament at 11 a.m. Friday against Sam Houston State, which for the eighth time since 2013 is the preseason choice to win the Southland.
However, even with a lineup featuring sophomore outfielder Colton Cowser of Cypress Ranch and Jack Rogers, a junior infielder from Klein Collins, the Bearkats (1-4) are off to a rocky beginning.
“That program has been rolling for a long time,” Bragga said. “They’re not off to a great start, but we’re not going to let that fool us.”
Cowser is ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect for the 2021 MLB draft by mlb.com.
Texas Tech (5-3) is returning to the College Classic for the first time since 2017 and for the 11th time overall. Coach Tim Tadlock has taken the Red Raiders to the College World Series four times over the past seven seasons. Texas Tech has won three of the past four Big 12 championships. The Red Raiders opened the 2021 season with losses to Arkansas, Mississippi and Mississippi State at the State Farm Classic in Arlington.
TCU (6-2) owns the best all-time winning percentage (minimum three appearances) in tournament history, going 15-9 over its eight previous visits. Under the helm of coach Jim Schlossnagle, the Horned Frogs are one of only three programs to have played in five of the past 10 College World Series.
Texas State (4-6) will be returning to Minute Maid Park for the second time in three years after winning two of three games in 2019. Texas A&M-CC (4-4), a late addition to the tournament, will be making its first appearance.
Owning a tournamentbest 29 wins, Rice will be playing in the classic a 17th time, finishing 2-1 in Bragga’s debut in 2019.
“This is a long-standing tradition for Rice baseball, one we’re honored to keep going,” Bragga said. “What an amazing venue, an amazing opportunity for our guys.”
Through seven games, the Owls have been solid defensively with high-level fielding up the middle at shortstop, second base and center field. However, hitting has been lacking. and pitching has been up and down with two shutouts thrown.
“I’m anxious to watch our guys improve,” Bragga said. “The product on the field is getting better. Offense and pitching has to get better. The defense needs to maintain the high quality of play.”
Righthander Roel Garcia, a junior from Deer Park, has battled injuries the past two years but has been effective this season for the Owls. He will start on Saturday against Texas A&M-CC. Garcia was on a strict pitch limit his first two outings, which yielded two no-decisions while leaving with a lead. Over eight innings and two starts, Garcia has not allowed a run with 11 strikeouts.