Janczak, Big Fifth Inning Power Frogs to Series Sealing Win

This TCU lineup is relentless, but Arizona State pitcher Spencer Van Scoyoc had them baffled for the better part of five innings Sunday afternoon. The Sun Devils’ freshman pitcher was a magician from the mound early, working around five walks to keep the Frogs off the scoreboard through the first four innings. But TCU broke through in the bottom of the fifth after ASU had plated two in the top of the inning, and chased Van Scoyoc after six, taking advantage of a bullpen that had been struggling all season long to secure a 5-2 game win and 2-1 series win at Lupton Field.

For the Frogs, Jared Janczak started strong, spreading five hits across seven innings and allowing two runs in the fifth. He walked only two and had four strikeouts on a day where the mighty Frog O needed a good day from the mound. After allowing the two runs in the fifth, he settled in to keep ASU off the board and allow TCU to chip away.

The Frogs could barely manage a hit off of Van Scoyoc, but struck back for a run in the bottom of the fifth after an error at second allowed Austen Wade to reach safely and Mason Hesse to score. After both teams went quietly in the sixth, the Frogs got a crooked number in the seventh as they finally strung together a series of hits. An Elliot Barzilli double scored Ryan Merrill to tie things up, and Evan Skoug’s blooper a batter later brought Barz home. Skoug, who made a risky decision to take second on the slow throw in was safe by just inches, but the empty base he left behind allowed ASU manager Tracy Smith to call for an intentional walk of Luken Baker. With the bases loaded, Warner singled, scoring another run and giving the Frogs just a bit of breathing room. TCU would add a run in the eighth as Wade tripled and freshman catcher Zach Humphreys drove him home.

ASU wasn’t done quite yet, threatening against TCU’s flame throwing closer Durbin Feltman with back to back singles after opening the frame with a K. But Feltman struck out big-hitting Tyler Williams and induced an easy grounder to Warner for the third out, sealing the win for Janczak and TCU.

After big offensive outputs in the first two games, TCU was held to five runs on seven hits. They struck out five times, bringing their season total to 59 - a high number through seven games but not overly concerning at this early stage of the campaign. They did draw another seven walks, bringing that total to 48.

The Frogs will next face the Rice Owls Tuesday night at Lupton before heading to Houston as part of the Shriners Classic, where they will face powers LSU, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss in the premier pre-season tournament. First pitch Tuesday is set for 6:30pm and senior Mitchell Traver is expected to make his second start of the season.