The TCU hitters had a tough time getting runners in as they fell to Southern Miss 5-3.
The Southern Miss starting pitcher, Kros Sivley, tossed a gem allowing one run over seven innings with two walks and one strikeout.
He had a no hitter going into the fourth inning before catcher Karson Bowen dumped a single into right center field.
Shortstop Anthony Silva got TCU on the board in the fifth inning as he hit a home run to left field, making the score 2-1. It was his first of the year.
TCU would get another run in the ninth from a wild pitch that scored center fielder Chase Brunson, making the score 5-2. They would later load the bases with one out, putting the winning run at the plate.
Designated hitter Noah Franco contributed an RBI to ground-out making the score 5-3. First baseman Isaac Cadena couldn’t convert as he struck out to end the game.
TCU couldn’t make the most out of their opportunities. They had a runner on third with one out in the second inning, but third baseman Preston Gamster popped out to the shortstop as left fielder Sam Myers grounded out to the pitcher to end the threat.
TCU went 2-10 with runners on base, and 1-5 with runners in the scoring position
Brunson hit a line drive single between first and second base, but TCU went for the double steal. The ball ended up hitting Cole Cramer, ending the inning.
TCU head coach Kirk Saarloos talked about how his team hit, saying “We need to be ready to hit the fastball and be on it and not miss it. A lot of balls fouled off, a lot of balls missed in hitter’s counts and when you’re doing that it makes things difficult.”
Tommy LaPour had a solid start, but took the loss allowing two runs in 4 2/3 innings on four hits, two walks and two strikeouts. He did have a bit of trouble with his command as he threw 50 out of his 88 pitches for strikes.
Saarloos discussed the outing from his starting pitcher.
“Tommy wasn’t as sharp, he wasn’t in the zone consistently in terms of executing his pitches as he has his first two weeks. He gave us a solid five and kept us in the game.” Saarloos said.
Mason Brassfield was strong from the bullpen letting up one run over three innings with three hits and three strikeouts.
The long ball was the key for Southern Miss as they hit three solo home runs.
Left fielder Davis Gillespie set the tone as he crushed a home run to center off the batter’s eye in the first inning.
The second home run was courtesy of right fielder Carson Paetow. It was a line drive homer that cleared the right field fence.
Second baseman Nick Monistere launched their final home run off right-handed pitcher Louis Rodriguez. The home run came on the only pitch that Rodriguez threw in the game as he was taken out right after.
Saarloos explained the situation. “I hate using Louis in situations when we’re down. I like to use him in situations when we’re ahead, but we had already warmed him up. It was at a point where the home run had been given up and in my mind we’re going to use him a ton tomorrow.”
TCU will face Southern Miss tomorrow at 1 p.m. in an attempt to win the series. Pitcher Trever Baumler will start for TCU.
