FORT WORTH, Texas (Interstat) — Lucas Franco launched a grand slam in the seventh inning, turning a close game into a rout as Texas Christian hammered Tulane 10-2 in nonconference baseball action Friday afternoon at Lupton Stadium.

The Horned Frogs (8-5) broke open a 4-2 contest with a six-run seventh, highlighted by Franco’s two-out blast to right field. The shortstop’s second homer of the season cleared the bases and came after a costly error extended the inning.

The game’s pivotal sequence began with two outs and Chase Brunson on first. Brunson stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Tulane catcher Pinkney on the play, allowing him to score the inning’s first run. Following two walks to load the bases, Franco connected on a 2-2 offering from reliever Brafa, sending it over the wall for a 9-2 TCU lead.

The offensive outburst made a winner of starter Mason Brassfield, who delivered a dominant performance. The right-hander struck out 10 over five innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits. He set the tone early, fanning the side in the third inning and working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth.

Tulane (8-6) struck first without a hit in the opening frame, scoring two runs on a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch. The Green Wave managed just five hits total, with Teo Wachs collecting two, including a double.

TCU responded immediately in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Traeger, then took the lead for good with a two-run second inning. Colton Griffin tied the game with an RBI single, and Strosnider followed with another run-scoring hit to make it 3-2. The Horned Frogs added a run in the fourth on Cramer’s RBI single, scoring Franco.

After Brassfield exited, the TCU bullpen combined for four scoreless innings. Nate Stern, Trever Baumler and Tyler Phenow allowed just two hits while striking out three to seal the victory.

Tulane starter Trey Cehajic took the loss despite a strange line. He pitched six innings, giving up four runs, all earned, on eight hits. He did not allow a hit through the first three innings but was hurt by walks and timely hitting from the Horned Frogs.

The victory improved TCU’s record to 8-5, while Tulane fell to 8-6. The teams continue their three-game series Saturday afternoon.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 6-5 Tulane victory, though the site’s ELO system gave TCU a 74.5% probability to win.