Many Frog fans were probably nervous about TCU’s road trip to Cal this weekend after how their trip out there earlier this season went. However, the Frogs would have no worries as they cruised to a 3-0 victory, their fourth shutout of the season.
Evan Skoug got things started in the 1st inning, launching a 2-out solo shot to left field, his 16th home run of the season, to put the Frogs up 1-0 early. The Frogs then extended their lead to 2-0 in the 2nd inning when an error on a steal attempt by Merrill allowed Brown to come home from 3rd base. TCU was able to add an insurance run in the 8th on yet another error by Cal.
Jared Janczak got the start for the Frogs and looked exceptional out there. The staff only limited him to 3 innings in his return, but he was locked in. He retired all nine batters that he faced on only 28 pitches, 22 of which were strikes, and had four strikeouts. He was credited with the win, improving his record to 7-0 on the season.
Nick Lodolo took the mound after Janczak and delivered a solid performance. He gave up three hits in 3+ innings of work and struck out three. Lodolo faced a bit of a jam in the 6th with runners on the corners with 1 out, but he got out of it with a 6-4-3 double play.
After Lodolo allowed a single to open up the 7th, the Frogs went to Sean Wymer out of the bullpen. Wymer, who has been arguably the most consistent reliever for TCU thus far this season, did his job and carried the team to the 9th for Durbin Feltman.
Feltman looked like his normal self, retiring the side in the 9th on 8 pitches to get his 13th save of the season and to preserve the shutout. Let’s hope this is a sign that Feltman is settling back in and is ready for his name to be called in the postseason, as he will be a very important piece if TCU wants to return to Omaha.
It was a solid day at the plate for the Frogs, who registered 9 hits, but credit Cal starter Joey Matulovich for preventing any momentum to be created early and forcing the Frogs to leave numerous runners on base. TCU was led by Skoug and Josh Watson, as each had 2 hits in the game. Every starter got a hit for the Frogs except Austen Wade and Cam Warner, who combined to go 0-for-8.
The Bears struggled at the plate and defensively, finishing with 4 errors and only 3 hits. With the victory, TCU improves to 38-13 on the year as they try to solidify their resume for a national seed. They’ll be back in action tomorrow night at 9pm CT for game two with Cal.
Important Scores Around the Nation
The team in bold indicates the team that TCU would benefit from if they won.
#4 Texas Tech 10, Kansas 6 (TCU still needs Kansas to take one game in Lubbock to secure the outright title and the #1 seed in OKC next week)
Baylor 21, Kansas State 13
#6 Kentucky 12, #5 Florida 4
NC State 3, #13 Clemson 2
Georgia Tech 14, #12 Virginia 7
Penn State 8, #23 Nebraska 7
Texas State 7, UTA 6
Rice 12, UAB 4
Evansville 9, Dallas Baptist 0 (ouch)
UT Martin 9, Murray State 3
Auburn 4, Ole Miss 1
#10 LSU 3, #8 Mississippi State 1 (both teams are on the national seed bubble, but we have a win over LSU)
#17 Arkansas 6, #24 Texas A&M 4 (this doesn’t help us but it never hurts when the Aggies lose)
Stephen F. Austin 4, Houston Baptist 0
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi 11, Abilene Christian 3
Arizona 6, Arizona State 5
Sacramento State 6, UT Rio Grande Valley 4