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Late Runs Sink TCU In Opener
FORT WORTH — An unearned run in each of the final two innings helped Loyola Marymount hand No. 11 TCU a 5-3 loss in the season opener Friday night.
The Rundown
The Lions opened up a 3-0 lead after three innings, aided in large part by four stolen bases and timely hitting. Loyola Marymount took a 1-0 lead on a two-out single in the first before tacking on two more runs in the top of the third.
TCU cut into the lead in the fourth on a two-out, two-run double from Ryan Merrill. The comeback was complete in the sixth after a lead-off triple by Josh Watson turned into the tying run. Watson was able to score on an errant pick-off attempt.
The Lions broke the tie on a one-out error in the eighth. Phil Caulfield scored from second on the miscue to give LMU a 4-3 lead. A similar situation played out in the top of the ninth as an error allowed the Lions fifth run of the night to score from second.
Rex Hill, the starter for TCU, allowed three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He fanned seven. Jared Janczak (0-1) took the tough-luck loss after allowing an unearned run on one hit. He walked one and struck out three.
Stat of the Game
11 — Combined strikeouts from Rex Hill, Jared Janczak and Ryan Burnett.
Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle
“I thought our at-bats were really good against a really good pitcher throwing 92-96 in the first four innings and then started throwing his changeup for strikes.”
“In terms of the first game for a young team against a really good pitcher in this environment, it was good. I’m really proud of the way Jared Janczak and Ryan Burnett came in and threw strikes. We hit the ball hard. I thought Josh Watson could’ve had a couple home runs on another night.”
Notes
• TCU’s starting lineup featured six newcomers (Cam Warner, Luken Baker, Josh Watson, Ryan Merrill, Ryan Johnson and Rex Hill).
• TCU fell to 8-6 in home openers at Lupton Stadium and 8-5 in season-openers under the direction of head coach Jim Schlossnagle.
• Luken Baker, Josh Watson, Ryan Merrill and Ryan Johnson all tallied their first career hits in the game.
• Jared Janczak made his collegiate debut on the mound.
• Connor Wanhanen made his first career start at first base.
• Connor Wanhanen carried a seven-game hit streak into the season. His base hit in third stretched the streak to eight.
• Dane Steinhagen made his first career start and has now started at all three outfield positions in his 1+ seasons at TCU.
Next Up
TCU (0-1) will try and even the series at a game apiece on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Loyola Marymount at 2 p.m.