The Horned Frogs concluded their west coast road trip with a 6-2 victory over Loyola Marymount on Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Tyler Alexander tossed four innings of one run ball, striking out four batters and giving up six hits. Alexander threw 74 pitches only two days after pitching 16 in an inning and one-third of work against Vanderbilt on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

Winning pitcher Brian Howard improved to 2-0 on the season after relieving Alexander in the fifth inning. Howard threw for two and one-third innings, striking out five and allowing only two hits. Howard’s only mistake came at the hands of LMU second baseman David Edwards, who hit a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

LMU took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as third baseman Ted Boeke ripped an RBI to right field. LMU threatened to score more by loading the bases, but Alexander managed to escape the jam.

TCU’s offense, which was held scoreless through four frames, exploded for five runs in the top of the fifth inning. RBI singles by first baseman Jeremie Fagnan, outfielder Cody Jones and designated hitter Evan Skoug proved to be the difference in the ballgame.

LMU consistently fought back in the ball game, recording 12 hits in the contest. However, after relief pitcher Travis Evans allowed the only batter he faced aboard with a base hit in the seventh inning, relief pitchers Trey Teakell and Ryan Burnett combined to allow only three hits over the remaining two and two-thirds of play. Each pitcher struck out two batters in the process.

After the four-game road trip in California, the Horned Frogs head back to Texas to kick off a 12-game home stand against Big 12 rival Baylor on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Lupton Stadium.