The Horned Frogs snapped a four-game losing streak Thursday afternoon as they defeated Oklahoma State 14-6 in the opening game of the first Southwest Diamond Classic.
The Frogs, who were averaging 5.6 runs per game, exploded for 14 runs on 22 hits. Senior first baseman Chris Neuman led the way for the Frogs with four hits, including a three-run home run, two doubles, a single and four RBIs.
Sophomore right fielder J.J. Estrada had a hand in pulling the Frogs out of their recent offensive slump, going 5-for-5 with two doubles, three singles, a walk and 2 RBIs.
Senior pitcher Ryan Weems said it was only a matter of time before the hitters started to put up some runs.
“All the hitters have been working real hard in practice on adjusting to certain pitches, and I think it has started to pay off.”
Weems earned the win against the Cowboys, improving to 2-0 on the season.
“It was a great win for us,” Weems said. “We needed this game to help us get back on track. We’ve been working hard and it helps when the offensive puts up 14 runs.”
Weems pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts.
“I am happy with the way I pitched today and that we were able to beat a quality Oklahoma State team,” he said.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore relief pitcher Derek Woloshyn relieved Weems. Woloshyn allowed his inherited runner to score on freshman first baseman Ty Wright’s sacrifice fly.
Freshman reliever Omar Arif pitched two innings out of the bullpen, retiring six of the eight batters he faced. He gave up no runs and struck out two.
For the day, Frogs’ pitchers allowed six runs on 13 hits but walked none.
The only real OSU threat came late in the game when OSU closed the gap, scoring two in the seventh and three in the eighth to make it 13-6.
The Frogs would add one more in the top of the ninth for a 14-6 final.
TCU now leads the all-time series against OSU 9-8.
The Frogs are 2-4 on the season. With the loss, OSU drops to 2-2.
The Frogs will next play 6 p.m. Friday against Dallas Baptist University and noon Saturday against Furman University. Both games are played at LaGrave field in the inaugural Southwest Diamond Classic.
