April 21, 2012
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - TCU got a solid pitching performance from starter Preston Morrison and scored all of its runs from the second through fourth innings as it defeated San Diego State, 5-1, Saturday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
By capturing game two of the three-game weekend series, the Horned Frogs improved to 23-13 overall and 11-3 in the Mountain West. The Aztecs, meanwhile, saw their record drop to 18-23 (7-7 MW).
TCU scored single unearned runs in both the second and third frames off SDSU starting hurler Travis Pitcher. In the fourth the Frogs tallied three runs on two singles and pair of doubles to chase Pitcher from the contest after 3.2 innings. The junior right-hander's final line read five runs allowed (three earned) on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. It was enough to hand him his second loss in his last two starts as his record fell to 3-4 on the season.
TCU's Morrison retired the first nine batters he faced in the contest before San Diego State scored a run in the bottom of the fourth. After Cody Smith led off with a single, Greg Allen reached on a fielder's choice with Smith safe at second. An infield single by Tim Zier loaded the bases before Chris Wilson's sacrifice fly to left brought Smith home with what would be the home team's only run of the night. It was the second straight game in which SDSU's lone run came on a sac fly by Wilson.
A single by Spencer Thornton in the same inning re-loaded the bases with one out, but Morison got a strikeout and fly ball to center to end the threat. The Aztecs' run would mark the end of scoring by either team over the remainder of the game. Morrison went on to toss seven full innings and departed with the one run allowed on five hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. His effort earned him the victory as he improved to 6-0.
As well as Morrison pitched, SDSU reliever Philip Walby proved just as effective at shutting down the Horned Frog offense after their three run outburst in the top of the fourth. The sophomore right-hander came on in relief of Pitcher, tossing the final 5.1 innings and allowing no runs on three hits with no walks and a pair of strikeouts.
TCU and San Diego State will conclude their weekend series on Sunday with a contest schedule to start at 11:00 a.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. That contest was originally slated to begin at 1:00 p.m., but the Horned Frog's travel plans have forced the earlier start.