June 15, 2014

Up-and-Down Eighth Lifts TCU over Texas Tech

By Phil Stanton

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

phil@collegebaseballinsider.com @RoadToOmaha

OMAHA, Neb. - TCU lost and reclaimed its lead in one inning.

The Horned Frogs gave up two in the top of the eighth to trail 2-1 before tallying a pair in the bottom of the eighth to claim a 3-2 victory over Texas Tech in Game 3 of the College World Series in front of 24,587 fans at TD Ameritrade Park.

No. 7 TCU (48-16), in its second trip to the College World Series, will face the winner of the Virginia-Ole Miss match-up on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT. The Red Raiders (45-20), in their first visit to Omaha, will face the loser in an elimination game on Tuesday at 2 p.m. CT.

"Typical TCU baseball game," said Horned Frogs head coach Jim Schlossnagle, "especially over the course of the last couple of weeks."

In its seven NCAA Tournament games, TCU has had six one-run contests, including each of the past four outings.

Trailing 1-0, Stephen Smith had a one-out single in the eighth for Texas Tech to chase TCU starter Preston Morrison, who was outstanding. Closer Riley Ferrell came in and surrendered a single to pinch-hitter Anthony Lyons and a two-run triple to Tyler Neslony as the Red Raiders snagged a 2-1 advantage.

The Horned Frogs responded in the bottom of the frame against Jonny Drozd. Keaton Jones (2 for 2) had a leadoff single and was sacrificed to second. Cody Jones (2 for 4) hit a grounder up the middle past Drozd to newly-inserted second baseman Alec Humphreys. His throw was wild to first, allowing Keaton Jones to score and Cody Jones to end up at second on a hit and an error.

"My biggest deal was to stay as calm as I could," Cody Jones said. "Once I got down two strikes, I knew I had to just sit back and fight and try to put a ball in play and try to let my legs work."

Boomer White had a two-out single to bring home Cody Jones with the go-ahead run.

"I stayed on it just enough to get a good piece of it," White said.

Tech did not go quietly in the ninth. Tim Proudfoot had a one-out single and Hunter Redman reached on an error with two away, Ferrell rolled a groundout to end the contest.

Both starters were tremendous. Morrison went 7.1 innings with five hits, one run, two walks and a career-high 10 strikeouts. Ferrell (3-1, 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 K) picked up the win for the Frogs.

"My slider was on point," Morrison said. "I was able to locate my fastball when I needed to and threw a couple of changeups for a couple of outs. I was able to make my pitches when I needed to."

"I thought Preston was as good as advertised," Tech head coach Tim Tadlock said. "He pitched like the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year."

Chris Sadberry worked seven innings for the Raiders with three hits, one run, two walks and five punchouts. Drozd (7-1, 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER) suffered his first loss of the season.

"I knew it was going to be a close game," Sadberry said. "I was a little frustrated with myself not being as sharp in the first inning. I tried to settle in and give my team a chance to win."

The Horned Frogs got on the board in the bottom of the first. Cody Jones laced a double down the left field line, was bunted to third and scored on a sacrifice fly by White to put TCU up 1-0. It snapped a string of 27 consecutive scoreless innings for Texas Tech hurlers.

Texas Tech took two out of three at TCU in March in a Big 12 series.