HOUSTON, TX — The 21st annual Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic concluded over the weekend at Minute Maid Park with Texas Tech being named the Tournament Champions with a perfect 3-0 record. In what was the Red Raiders 11th appearance in the College Classic in program history, this marks their first time to be crowned Tournament Champions. This weekend’s nine-game tournament produced Texas Tech as the only undefeated team, edging out Sam Houston and TCU, which both finished 2-1. Rice and Texas State both finished 1-2, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finished 0-3.

The 2021 Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic All-Tournament Team was highlighted by the Classic’s Most Outstanding Player LHP Russell Smith from TCU. Smith dazzled in his Saturday night start against Texas State, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and walk and posting a career-high 13 strikeouts. He became just the third pitcher in College Classic history to punch out 13 in a game, joining former TCU teammate LHP Nick Lodolo (2019 vs. Houston) and Mississippi State LHP Konnor Pilkington (2018 vs. Louisiana).

The 2021 All-Tournament Team:

C Braxton Fulford, Texas Tech .364 (4x11), 3 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 4 RBI

1B Bradley Gneiting, Rice .308 (4x13), 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

2B Brayden Taylor, TCU .308 (4x13), 4 R, 1 2B, 2 3B, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SB

3B Justin Thompson, Texas State .455 (5x11), 2 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HBP

SS Dalton Shuffield, Texas State .250 (3x12), 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 SB

OF Elijah Nunez, TCU .500 (5x10), 3 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 1 SB

OF Phillip Sikes, TCU .500 (5x10), 4 R, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 2 HBP

OF Mike Williams, A&M-Corpus Christi .375 (3x8), 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB

DH Justin Dunlap, Rice .273 (3x11), 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 1 SB

P Matt Dillard, Sam Houston 0-1, 0.00 ERA (0ER/6IP), 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K

P Patrick Monteverde, Texas Tech 1-0, 0.00 ERA (0ER/7IP), 3 H, 0 BB, 9 K

P Russell Smith, TCU 1-0, 0.00 ERA (0ER/6IP), 2 H, 1 BB, 13 K

P Zeke Wood, Texas State 1-0, 0.00 ERA (0ER/6IP), 3 H, 3 BB, 6 K

Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic Most Outstanding Player: LHP Russell Smith, TCU

Additionally, the Astros announced the partial field for the 2022 Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, which will feature top programs in Baylor, LSU, Oregon State, Tennessee and Texas. The sixth program will be announced at a later date. The 22nd annual tournament will feature nine games at Minute Maid Park from March 4-6, 2022.