The NO. 7 Horned Frogs completed their second consecutive series sweep with a 2-1 win over UNLV Saturday afternoon at Lupton Stadium.
The Frogs managed to score two runs on only two hits for the game. Five walks and three errors by the Rebels allowed TCU to stay in the game and eventually take the lead in the sixth inning.
Head coach Jim Schlossnagle said the win was a good sign that the Frogs luck was starting to turn in their favor.
“If you keep doing the right things and keep plugging away, you’re going to wins some games that maybe you should have lost,” he said. “I think the game turned our way today, because they certainly outhit us.”
Senior Steven Maxwell got the start for the Frogs, looking to improve his record to 6-0 on the season.
The Rebels took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Brandon Bayardi hit a double in the gap to score Trevor Kirk.
Joe Weik got the Frogs’ first hit of the game with a bloop single to left in the third inning. The Frogs were unable to capitalize on the hit, stranding two runners to end the inning.
After an impressive four innings allowing only one hit, Rebels starter Max Javate hit three consecutive batters to load the bases in the fifth inning. Jantzen Witte came through with a sacrifice fly to score Aaron Schultz and tie the game at 1-1.
Trent Appleby came on in the sixth inning to relieve Maxwell, who pitched five strong innings giving up only one run on six hits with six strikeouts.
After a leadoff walk and errant pick-off attempt that sent Jason Coats to third, second baseman Jerome Pena drove in the Frogs go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to center field. The Frogs took the lead despite having only one hit through six innings.
In the seventh inning, Brance Rivera gave TCU their second hit of the game with a two-out double, but the Frogs were unable to capitalize.
UNLV threatened in the eighth inning with runners on first and third. Frog reliever Stefan Crichton came in with two outs and got Casey Sato to fly out to end the inning.
The Rebels made one final push in the top of the ninth. Travis Feiner delivered a leadoff single to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt and groundout that moved Feiner to third, Crichton struck out Trevor Kirk to end the game.
Third baseman Jantzen Witte said after a tough first month of the season, the Frogs are starting to play much better.
“At the beginning of the year, this probably would have been a loss,” he said. “We’re feeling good right now and hopefully we can keep it going.”
The Frogs will have a quick turnaround as they go on the road to face Dallas Baptist on Monday night, a team who defeated the Frogs at Lupton Stadium on March 1. TCU will then return home on Tuesday night to face the University of Oklahoma in a game that should help determine the Frogs chances of hosting a NCAA Regional. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:30.
