TCU takes down Missouri St 3-2 in super regional opener

TCU defeated Missouri State, 3-2, after a two run homer in the eighth!

The Horned Frogs won the opening game of a best-of-three Super Regional Series on Saturday night by persevering and claiming a 3-2 victory over Missouri State Bears at Lupton Stadium.

TCU will attempt to clinch its fourth consecutive trip to College World Series this weekend during a Sunday night game at home against Missouri State.

If the Horned Frogs win Game Two on Sunday night, they will advance to the College World Series, which is scheduled for June 17 through June 27 or 28, in Omaha.

Game Two begins at 5 p.m. (ESPNU). A third tie-breaker game will be scheduled for Monday if the Horned Frogs lose Game Two.

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During Game One before 5,181 fans on Saturday, TCU junior catcher Evan Skoug hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift TCU over Missouri State. The Horned Frogs had never led until Skoug popped what turned out to be the game winning home run.

Skoug said the clutch homer was part of his divine destiny.

“It’s one of the cooler things I’ve done in my life,” he said. “God’s got a plan. This is all part of His plan.”

TCU improved to 46-16. Missouri State fell to 43-19.

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Missouri State scored first when short stop Jeremy Eierman homered to right field in the top of second inning. But TCU responded in the bottom of the second when senior short stop Ryan Merrell singled to left center and sophomore left fielder Josh Waston came in from second base to score and tie the game 1-1.

Missouri took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning when center field Hunter Steinmetz singled toward third base on a perfect bunt and Logan Geha scored from third base.

But TCU took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth when Skoug hit the two run homer. He and Zach Humphreys scored to give the Horned Frogs the 3-2 lead.

TCU head coach Jim Schlossnagle said the team comes through in clutch situations because they have lots of valuable playing experience.

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“They never panic,” he said.