The TCU Horned Frogs had their way against Air Force in a decisive 17-6.
TCU’s bats came out hot, capitalizing on errors from the Air Force defense. Air Force committed seven errors in the game.
TCU had two innings with more than five runs scored in each. The Frogs were down in the beginning of the game as Air Force scored two runs in the first inning with a RBI single from catcher Walker Zapp and a sacrifice fly from left fielder Christian Taylor.
That was the only time in the game when the Horned Frogs trailed. TCU put up five runs in the second inning, fueled by great hitting and off-game Air Force defense. Third baseman Jack Bell reached first on an error to start the inning and advanced to second on a bad pickoff attempt.
The bases were loaded with no outs after a pair of walks lent to centerfielder Chase Brunson and designated hitter Noah Franco. That brought shortstop Anthony Silva to the plate, and he delivered with a single, tying the game 2-2.
Right-fielder Sawyer Strosnider laced a two-run triple to right center to extend the TCU lead to 4-2. Left-fielder Sam Myers would make the lead 5-2 as he reached on a fielding error.
Air Force starting pitcher Easton Miller only managed to complete one inning before moving to the dugout. He allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits, with two walks and a strikeout.
TCU would put another crooked number in the third inning. Bell homered to lead off the inning. Myers would tack on with a double that scored two, giving TCU a 8-2 lead.
The Horned Frogs didn’t stop there as they continued their onslaught in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring nine runs. They loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth when Bell came up. He reached on an error from the third baseman, the sixth error of the game for Air Force. That made the game 10-5.
Brunson made them pay with a three-run home run, giving TCU a comfortable 13-5 lead. They would load the bases again in the sixth inning, with first baseman Isaac Cadena hitting a two-run single up the middle. Catcher Karson Bowen hit a sacrifice fly, and the Frogs got their last run on Air Force’s seventh error.
Pitcher Louis Rodriguez was a solid start for TCU. He allowed five runs (one earned) on three hits, two walks with four strikeouts. His defense did let him down, as Cadena had a throwing error in the first inning that allowed the runner to reach. The runner would come around to score later in the inning.
In the fourth inning, Air Force loaded the bases and Rodriguez got a fly ball to center field. Brunson dropped the ball, causing three runs.
Right-hander Carson Cormier secured the win as he fired one and a third scoreless and hitless innings with one walk and three strikeouts for a 17-6 game. This is the first win of his college career.
Game 2 of the series is set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.
