Following a late comeback win in the Big 12 opener, TCU controlled Saturday’s game against West Virginia from start to finish picking up a 7-1 win.
The Frogs did it behind their starter Brian Howard who pitched seven innings, allowing only one run on two hits. Howard also recorded a season-high eight strikeouts.
Howard is now 4-0 on the season. The dominant outing brought his earned run average down to 2.37.
Final line for Howard: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K. #GoFrogs #LuptonMagic
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) March 19, 2016
The Frogs also continued their hot hitting from the plate. They got on the board early in the second inning when sophomore Michael Landestoy drove in Elliot Barzilli on an infield single.
After West Virginia tied it up in the top of the third, TCU quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the inning. Evan Skoug doubled off the center field wall, stole third and scored on an errant throw by West Virginia catcher Ray Guerrini to give the Frogs a 2-1 lead.
The Frogs added to their lead in the fourth inning on leadoff man Austen Wade’s bases loaded bloop single which scored two runs. They scored another on the Mountaineers’ third throwing error of the game, which gave the Frogs a 5-1 lead.
TCU tacked on a couple more runs late in the game to finish off the 7-1 victory.
The Frogs have now scored seven or more runs in eleven games this season. TCU is undefeated in those eleven contests.
The win moves the Frogs to a 15-3 record. They are 2-0 in Big 12 play.
West Virginia falls to 10-6 and 0-2 in the Big 12.
TCU looks to complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon over the Mountaineers. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Lupton Stadium.
