Feb. 3, 2001

HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Tech was unable to overcome five defensive errors and an offensive explosion by 11th ranked Rice on Saturday afternoon at the Astros College Classic where Rice handed Tech its first loss of the season 13-6.

With the loss, the Red Raiders fell to 3-1 on the year while Rice improved to 3-0. Texas Tech fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first and was able to bring the score within one thanks to an RBI single by Nick Blankenship that scored rightfielder Kerry Hodges. Rice extended its lead to seven with four runs in the second and two in the top of the fourth.

Tech pulled within two in the bottom half of the fourth thanks to back-to-back home runs by Kerry Hodges and Nick Blankenship. Hodges hit a three RBI home run over the left field fence and Blankenship followed with a solo shot to the same spot as Hodges.

It was all Rice following the fourth inning as the Owls put up five more runs to seal the win. Rice extended its winning streak to five games over Texas Tech dating back to the 1996 season.

Senior pitcher Cory Metzler (1-1) took the loss for Texas Tech while Nick Martin (1-0) earned his first win of the season for Rice. Texas Tech will play the Houston Cougars on Sunday afternoon in the final day of the Astros College Classic. The game is scheduled to begin at noon (CT).