http://www.gofrogs.c…/022116aaa.html
Baker Cooks Up Series Victory; TCU Wins 5-0
FORT WORTH — Luken Baker did it all on Sunday, tossing six shutout innings and hitting a two-run blast in the fifth to help TCU to a 5-0 win over Loyola Marymount on Sunday.
The Rundown
Making his first collegiate start on the mound, Baker was nothing short of spectacular. He retired the first 10 batters he faced and 15 of 16 to open the game. Baker gave way to the bullpen after 6+ innings of one-hit baseball. He finished with one walk and six strikeouts.
As well as his prowess on the mound, Baker helped his cause with a two-run blast in the fifth inning to give the Frogs a 3-0 lead. Connor Wanhanen tripled and scored on an Evan Skoug sac fly in the third to give TCU the early 1-0 lead.
Loyola Marymount made noise in the seventh as it loaded the bases on two hit batters and a base hit with nobody out. Preston Guillory came on and got two strikeouts and a lazy pop fly to end the inning.
TCU picked up some big insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Elliott Barzilli doubled with one out. Following a walk to Ryan Merrill, the duo advanced 90 feet and scored on a Mason Hesse base hit up the middle.
Stat of the Game
518 — Head coach Jim Schlossnagle became the all-time winningest baseball coach in TCU history with his 518th win, surpassing the legendary Lance Brown.
Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle
“I’m just glad we won a series. I don’t want to downplay the significance of the win, because it is pretty neat. I’m fortunate enough to be at a place that is really committed to college baseball. I’ve worked for three great athletic directors and the absolute best Chancellor in the country. I’ve had great coaches and great players, so we should win. Coach (Lance) Brown didn’t have those luxuries. It’s an honor.”
“It was awesome (to watch Luken Baker’s performance). He pitched like that in his last intrasquad start, but he hadn’t done it beforehand. It was much needed.”
“It was a very good series win; especially from a pitching standpoint. It’s a great early season win for us. That’s a team that I could easily see winning their league or competing in the top three. I’m glad we won the series. ”
Notes
• TCU notched double-digit hits for the second time this season.
• TCU has not allowed an earned run in its last 24 2/3 innings played.
• TCU has 26 shutouts over the last 2+ seasons, tops in the NCAA.
• Durbin Feltman and Dalton Brown made their collegiate debuts.
• Elliott Barzilli has three multi-hit games this season and 18 in his career.
• For the second straight year, a freshman hit TCU’s first home run of the season. Evan Skoug did it in 2015 and Luken Baker this season.
• Mason Hesse notched his first career multi-hit and multiple-RBI contest with two hits and two RBIs.
• Connor Wanhanen stretched his hitting streak to 10 games, tying the longest streak of his career. He carried a seven-game hitting streak into the season.
• Evan Skoug, Connor Wanhanen and Luken Baker have hit safely in all three games this season.
Next Up
With the win, TCU improves to 2-1 on the season. TCU will wrap up its season-opening four-game homestand Wednesday night when it plays host to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.