April 26, 2008
SAN DIEGO - TCU scored in each of the first six innings and added two more in the eighth in recording a 16-5 win over San Diego State at Tony Gwynn Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Horned Frogs had eight of their nine starters hit safely and score at least one run in the contest as none of SDSU's four pitchers were able to quell the visitor's offensive onslaught.
The loss dropped San Diego State to 25-18 overall and pushed them into third place in the Mountain West Conference with an 11-6 mark in league play. The second-place Horned Frogs moved to 28-15 on the season (12-5 MWC).
Aztec starting hurler J.R. Murphy, who had not tasted defeat since March 1, lasted just 3.1 innings as he gave up TCU's first six runs on seven hits and a pair of walks. Included in those totals was a two-run homer by Matt Vern, who finished with four RBI on the afternoon. Murphy would be tagged with the loss as his record dropped to 5-2.
The SDSU offense, meanwhile, made little headway against Horned Frog starter Sean Hoelscher, who would pick up the win to improve to 5-2. RBI singles by Pat Colwell and Brett Tanos in the third and fourth inning respectively gave the Aztecs their first two runs, but they still trailed 7-2 at the end of four.
The San Diego State bullpen didn't fair much better than Murphy as freshmen Michael Dixon and Brett Miller each allowed four runs in their one inning of work although two of those charged to Miller were unearned.
Another SDSU freshman hurler, lefty Craig Rasmussen, was the team's most effective pitcher on the afternoon, going the final 3.2 innings and giving up just a pair of runs on two hits, one of those being a two-run homer to Matt Carpenter in the eighth.
Aztec shortstop Troy Hanzawa led SDSU at the plate with a two-run single in the seventh and an RBI single in the ninth. Catcher Erik Castro contributed a pair of doubles and scored once.
TCU and San Diego State will play the rubber game of their weekend series on Sunday, April 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The contest has been designated as Senior Day with the Aztecs honoring nine players concluding their collegiate careers this season. Pre-game ceremonies will begin at 10:45 a.m.