TCU scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning en route to defeating Central Connecticut State, 9-6, in the Horned Frogs’ opening game of Fort Worth Regional, which turned into a late Saturday night/early Sunday morning bout at Lupton Stadium.
The game was played late at night and a day later because of rain delays.
TCU’s first score came in the bottom of the fifth inning after first baseman Connor Wanhanen had made his way to third base. Wanhahen was walked and then advanced to third on a stolen bases maneuver in which he sprinted from first to third with the help of an erroneous attempt to stop him on the part of Central Connecticut State. At that point, with one out, he was driven in by left fielder Josh Watson who was thrown out at third when he was attempting a triple. That enabled the Horned Frogs to take a 1-0 lead at the end of the fifth inning.
TCU added two more runs in bottom of the sixth inning. Center fielder Nolan Brown singled and drove in Evan Skoug and Cam Warner who had advanced to second and third after Warner had doubled.
TCU led 3-0 after six innings.
TCU thrived on the savvy pitching of senior pitcher Mitchell Traver. Traver was pulled early in the top of the eighth and was replaced by freshman Cal Coughlin who wasn’t as dominant. Central Connecticut State scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to cut TCU’s lead 3-1.
But TCU snapped back and took a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth when Evan Skoug hit a three run home run.
The Horned Frogs added three more runs to take a 9-1 lead at the end of eight innings.
Coughlin was replaced on the mound by freshman Jake Eissler at the beginning of the ninth inning. TCU let down its guard and CCSU scored five runs in the top of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough.
Three Sunday games are scheduled today–at noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. TCU faces Virginia, a 6-3 winner over Dallas Baptist in Game 1 on Saturday night.