FROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
PROVO, Utah – Five BYU errors and an offensive onslaught by the TCU Horned Frogs led them to a series-opening 16-5 victory Thursday night at Miller Field. The Frogs picked up 14 hits in the contest led by another good outing by Chris Ellington, who tied a school record with three doubles. The junior drove in four runs as did Ben Carruthers. In total, the Horned Frogs scored nine unearned runs in the game.
Three Cougar errors in the top of the first inning led to a seven-run inning as TCU jumped out to a commanding lead. Ben Carruthers was hit by the first pitch of the ballgame and Bryan Kervin walked to put two on with no outs. Trying to sacrifice, Clint Arnold reached safely on the first BYU error in the inning. Chris Ellington doubled to give TCU a 2-0 lead. Steve Ellington made it 3-0, reaching on an error by the shortstop.
With one out, Matt Carpenter walked to load the bases and Hunt Woodruff drove in the fourth run of the inning, reaching base safely on an error by the second baseman. Up for the second time in the frame, Carruthers cleared the bases with a double to the gap in left center.
The Cougars tried to comeback as they pushed across runs in the first and third inning to make it a 7-2 lead, but another costly error in the fourth opened the flood gates as TCU picked up five more runs.
Kervin walked to lead off the inning and Arnold was hit-by-the pitch to put two on for Chris Ellington, who came through with his third double of the game to make it a 9-2 game. Steve Ellington reached on yet another error and Bryan Holaday singled to load the bases.
Cougar reliever Tyler Westensee got a double play ball, but another run crossed the plate to make it 10-2. Woodruff and Matt Vern hit back-to-back doubles to round out the scoring in the inning. The Cougars scratched across a run in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 12-3 ballgame.
Tyler Lockwood (4-0) earned the victory with six strong innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out eight. Dillon Farish went two innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out one batter. Chris Anagnostou finished the game, allowing just two hits.
The Frogs added to their lead in the sixth inning to open up a 10-run lead. Holaday doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a Carpenter single. Vern walked to load the bases and Carruthers bounced into a fielder’s choice to drive home Holaday.
BYU picked up two runs on four hits in the seventh inning, but the Frogs picked up three in the top of the eighth to regain the double-digit lead.
It was another error by the Cougars that helped the Frogs pick up their runs. Carpenter singled and got to third on two wild pitches. Vern drove him home. After Carruthers doubled, the shortstop made a throwing error that allowed Vern to score and Arnold capped the inning with an RBI-groundout.
The Frogs improve to 24-13 on the season and 9-4 in league play. They return to the diamond Friday night for game two of the series. Sean Hoelscher will start for TCU and face BYU’s Jake Wortham. First pitch is slated for 8 p.m. (CST)
Game Notes:
·The last Horned Frog to have three doubles in a game was Matt Vern against New Mexico on May 19, 2007.
·With nine doubles in the contest, the Frogs tied another school record. The last time that happened was also against New Mexico on March 21, 1999.
·Matt McGuirk pinch hit in the ninth inning, making his first appearance since March 2 against Tulane. He was recovering from a leg injury.
