Pitcher Riley Ferrell closed out TCU’s 3-1 win over Rice and broke a school record for career saves Tuesday night in Lupton Stadium after a prolonged fire alarm delayed the game about half an hour.

The Frogs proved they belong at the top of the rankings with the win over the No. 10 Owls after nearly a week-long break.

Head coach Jim Schlossnagle said his team was at a clear advantage all night, as Rice had played four games during the Frog’s break, which was due to weather.

In what seemed to be a game of musical pitchers, the two teams combined to send 12 different players to the mound.

Mitchell Traver opened the game for the Frogs, followed by Alex Young. Frequent starter Preston Morrison made his first relief appearance for the Frogs since April of 2012. Ryan Burnett and Trey Teakell then followed Morrison.

Ferrell entered the game in the ninth to beat Sam Demel’s previous school record for career saves with 21. He needed only seven throws to end the game.

“[Having a player like Ferrell] just gives you supreme confidence,” Schlossnagle said. “You’re pretty confident that you’re going to have some success at the end of the game.”

Ferrell said he does not focus on the record.

“It’s in the past now,” he said. “It’s not really something that’s that special to me until I go back and look at it.”

TCU was strong from the start, bringing in two runs in the first inning. It wasn’t until the top of the eighth that the Owls scored. This was the first run the Frogs allowed in 22 innings.

Center fielder Cody Jones was the first to earn a run after Garrett Crain’s double sent him home.

Catcher Evan Skoug followed Crain to the plate to get another double, which Crain ran in for the second score of the inning.

Jones also made the third and final run for the Frogs in the fourth inning.

Schlossnagle said having Jones at the top of the lineup is key.

“Cody is an igniter for our team, there’s no doubt about that,” Schlossnagle said. “When he stays above the ball, he’s going to make the defense hustle.”

Jones said he focuses on getting his job done.

“If I can find a way on base in any way, shape or form, then the guys behind me, I know, can hit me in,” Jones said.

The Frogs will next head to warmer weather for a week of games in Los Angeles. They will go up against USC Friday night at 8.