In 2010, the TCU Horned Frogs faced the Texas Longhorns in a win-or-go-home matchup in the College World Series Super Regional.
Just as the team did in 2010, TCU ended Texas' post-season dreams Thursday, as the Frogs crippled the Longhorns' offense and eliminated Texas from reaching the post-season with a 5-1 victory.
Texas, who entered the game in last place in Big 12 conference play, was a game behind Texas Tech for the final playoff spot for the Big 12 tournament. With Texas Tech's 17-5 win over Baylor in Waco, the Red Raiders clinched the final playoff spot.
Texas will miss the Big 12 conference tournament for the first time since 1998, and for only the third time in Augie Garrido's coaching career with the Longhorns.
"I have the ultimate respect for [Texas head coach] Augie Garrido and [Texas assistant coach] Skip Johnson," TCU head coach Jim Schlossnagle said, regarding Texas' elimination from post-season contention. "If there was a Mount Rushmore of college baseball coaches, Augie would be at the forefront of it. I don't wish [elimination] on anybody."
With its win, TCU has won eight out of their past 10 games.
TCU starter Preston Morrison retired 23 of 25 batters he faced, including 17 straight. He struck out four and gave up two hits in his eight-inning, 83-pitch outing.
"I was feeling better physically than normal," Morrison said. "We're pitching like we should. We're playing awesome defense and have all the pieces together right now."
Texas starter Parker French allowed six hits in his 6.1 innings of work for the Longhorns, surrendering four earned runs, two hit batters and three walks.
TCU drew first blood after Cody Jones laid down a bunt single to the third baseman. After stealing second and moving to third on a flyout by Jantzen Witte, Jones scored on a bloop single to center by Paul Hendrix, giving TCU the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
After issuing walks to Brett Johnson and Cody Jones in the fifth, French got Boomer White to ground out to a fielder’s choice. With runners on the corners, Witte singled to left to drive in Johnson and give TCU a 2-0 advantage.
"I felt comfortable," Witte said. "I always enjoy playing bigger teams for the crowd. They always seem to be into it, and I think raised my focus."
TCU rallied for a three run inning in the seventh, which kicked off with a Brett Johnson single to centerfield. After a Cody Jones sacrifice bunt, Boomer White doubled down the left field line, giving TCU a 3-0 lead.
White stole third, then Witte doubled to left-center to score White. Paul Hendrix followed up with a double to right, making the score 5-0 for TCU.
"The bats are really starting to come around," Witte said. "Hopefully, we keep that rolling."
After a TCU pitching change in the ninth, Texas scratched its way onto the scoreboard. Pinch hitter Collin Shaw drew a walk from Stefan Crichton, then scored on a Brooks Marlow double.
Crichton would leave the game after hitting Mark Payton with a pitch. Travis Evans came in for relief, and Erich Weiss grounded out to advance the runners for UT. Justin Scharf came in after that at-bat, striking out C.J. Hinojosa to end the game.
Morrison (7-3) earned his seventh win of the season as Scharf earned his first save of the year. French (4-5) lost his fifth game of the season.
TCU infielder Derek Odell was injured his shoulder on a play in the fourth inning. Schlossnagle said Odell will not play for the remainder of the series and said he was unsure on the severity or long-term status of the injury.
