Rice bats put to sleep in Taccolini's dream

Photo by Chris DaigleHOUSTON -- For Arkansas pitcher Dominic Taccolini, Friday was a dream come true.

A native of Houston suburb Sugar Land, Texas, Taccolini spent much of his youth and this past summer roaming the Minute Maid Park stands, eating hot dogs and waiting for his chance to take the mound in "The Juicebox."

The Razorbacks right-handed starter flummoxed opposing bats for six innings, leading No. 22 Arkansas to a 5-2 victory against No. 24 Rice on the first day of the Houston Shriners Hospitals for Children Classic.

"I've thrown here before, but just to do it in an actual game and do it against a bunch of people I know -- their first baseman [Connor Teyki] is basically my best friend…