2016 CWS Game 8: TCU 6 Coastal Carolina 1

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Omaha, Neb. – TCU advanced to the winner bracket final with a 5-1 win over Coastal Carolina Tuesday night. The Horned Frogs got a big game from Luken Baker who finished three for three on the night and scored two runs.

Baker got things started for TCU (49-16) in the top of the second with a solo shot to right field. It was Baker’s second homerun in as many games at the College World Series.

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The Horned Frogs opened up the game in the top of the fifth scoring two runs. TCU loaded the bases with a single, an error and a walk. A walk to Austen Wade brought home the first run of the inning. A fielder’s choice on a ground ball by Cam Warner brought home the second run for the Horned Frogs and put TCU up 3-0.

TCU added to the lead in the sixth with the bases loaded and no outs after Dane Steinhagen grounded into a double play.

Coastal Carolina (50-17) got on the board in the sixth with a two-out single by G.K. Young to make the score 4-1. With two runners on, a line drive by Tyler Chadwick was right at the left fielder to end the Chanticleer threat. Young was the offensive leader for the Chanticleers finishing two for four on the night.

The Horned Frogs added a couple of insurance runs in the top of the ninth. The first came on a one-out RBI triple to right center field by Michael Landestoy that was just out of the reach of the diving Billy Cooke to score Ryan Merrill. Two batters later, Warner reached on a throwing error by Zach Remillard that brought home Landestoy.

Brian Howard (10-2) was solid on the mound for TCU, going five-and-two-thirds innings, while scattering six hits and striking out seven Coastal batters. Ryan Burnett earned his first career save finishing the last three-and-one-third innings for the Horned Frogs not allowing a base runner while striking out two.

Coastal Carolina will play Texas Tech in an elimination game Thursday at 7 p.m. The winner of that game will play TCU Friday at 7 p.m.