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Arlington, TX - TCU and UTA traded blows through the first third of Tuesday night’s ball game at Globe Life Park (home of the Texas Rangers), tied at one a piece as both starting pitchers had strong debuts.
Making his first career start, freshman Spencer Arrighetti gave the Frogs two solid innings, allowing one run two hits before being relieved by junior lefty Haylen Green - who had made the previous three weeknight starts for TCU. The Mavericks opened the scoring in the second, using a pair of singles and a wild pitch to get on the board. The Frogs answered back half an inning later; after Bobby Goodloe doubled for the second time in the game - advancing to second on an error - Watson singled him home to tie things up. An inning later, they got some breathing room when Conner Shepherd laced a three run shot to right to put the Frogs up 4-1. The home run, Shepherd’s third of the season, was a no doubter the second it left the bat, soaring into the home bullpen. It brought home Austin Henry and Adam Oviedo, who reached on their only hits of the ball game.
UTA got one back in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a single up the middle after doubling off of Green to open the inning. Haylen finished the night having gone three innings, allowing three hits, and the one run. The Mavs made it interesting in the bottom of the eighth, picking up their third run off of Charles King, and forcing the Frogs to use three different pitchers to get out of the inning.
Freshman Bobby Goodloe had a good night for the Frogs from the leadoff spot, doubling twice and reaching a third time on a walk. Shepherd had two hits and a walk, including the home run, totaling three RBI on the night. In all, the Frogs had ten hits on the night, but left 13 runners stranded.
Augie Mihlbauer ended the eighth, relieving Cal Coughlin - who relieved Charles King - but was pulled after hitting the only batter he faced. Marcelo Perez came in to pitch the ninth, and recovered from a lead off single to get a double play with an assist from Conner Shepherd at third. He earned the save, his third of the year,
Next up for the Frogs is the start of Big 12 Conference play, when they welcome Texas to Lupton for a three game set beginning Friday.