Grand slam helps TCU take series win against Murray State

By Alexis Guerrero

Published Apr 8, 2017

TCU drew 21 free passes in the game against Murray State Saturday (picture courtesy of GoFrogs.com).

The Frogs’ offense showed no mercy as they brought in 13 runs in the second and third inning alone leading to a 15-6 victory over Murray State Saturday.

The pace of the game quickly changed in the second inning as TCU brought in seven runs off two hits.

The Racers’ starting pitcher Austin Dubsky hit Josh Watson and Nolan Brown back to back after a groundout from Luken Baker. With bases loaded, Connor Wanhanen was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run of the game. Austen Wade shot a bases-clearing double to right field to give the Frogs a 4-0 lead. Back to back walks loaded the bases again for the Frogs and Baker hit a two-run single. A fielding error by the first baseman allowed for another TCU run to touch home

Wade has reached base safely in 18 straight games.

Leading 7-1 into the third, a fielding error, walk, and hit by pitch loaded the bases again for the Frogs with one out. Evan Skoug smacked a homer to right center for a grand slam. Watson was walked and Brown homered to right field for the Frogs’ sixth run of the inning.

Skoug hit his fifth home run of the season and Brown hit his third of the season.

TCU hit its third grand slam of the year, the most since hitting three in 2010.

Walks to Wanhanen and Cam Warner around a Wade single in the fourth loaded the bases for TCU. Baker flied out to right field and Wanhanen tagged up to bring in another run for the Frogs.

Murray State retaliated in the fifth inning with a pair of two-run doubles between a sac fly made it a 13-6 game.

Another walk to Wanhanen started the sixth inning for the Frogs. A wild pitch and a single put Wanhanen in scoring position. Warner flied out to center field and Wanhanen brought in the final run for TCU.

TCU drew 21 free passes in the game. Fifteen walks, four hit batters and two errors accounted for the 16-5 win over the Racers.

Nick Lodolo (3-1) started the game for the Frogs and went five with six runs on nine hits and six strikeouts.
TCU improves to 25-5 overall with the win. The Frogs will go for their third consecutive series sweep Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with Brian Howard on the mound.