TCU defeats Houston in final College Classic tilt

HOUSTON -- TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle isn't overly excited about his team's offensive production. He does like his pitching, and the staff delivered on Sunday.

In the last of nine games over three days of the 2014 Houston College Classic, the Horned Frogs defeated Houston, 2-1, on Sunday at Minute Maid Park. The loss was the Cougars' second straight after opening the season with eight consecutive wins.

"We tend to get guys on base and don't get them in," said Schlossnagle. "I'm not impressed yet with our offense. We still have a ways to go."

TCU (7-4), which out-hit Houston, 7-5, scored the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh. Cody Jones singled in Keaton Jones. In the third inning, Keaton Jones scored in a rundown.

Houston scored its run in the fifth inning, with Caleb Barker coming home on Ashford Fulmer's two-out double off starter Tyler Alexander, who was effective in his 4 2/3 innings.

"He was much better with his fastball command today," said Schlossnagle. "I told him one of the downfalls of being the Sunday starter on our pitching staff is when [Brandon] Finnegan and [Preston] Morrison do what they're capable of, I got to rest the bullpen.

"With our offense the way it is, I'm going to have a quick hook."

Alex Young (1-0) earned the win, pitching 2 2/3 innings in relief of Alexander, who allowed only three hits. Riley Ferrell pitched 1 2/3 innings for the save. Jared Robinson (1-1) took the loss in relief of Cougars starter Jared West, who allowed one unearned run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Cody Jones and Kyle Bacak had two hits each for TCU. Frankie Ratcliff had two hits to pace the Cougars, who committed three errors.