Texas A&M 1, TCU 0: Frogs lose incredible pitcher’s duel

HOUSTON, TX - It was the definition of a pitcher’s duel on Saturday night, as TCU and Texas A&M battled it out. The Frogs wound up on the wrong end thanks to an incredibly outing from Texas A&M’s starting pitcher Asa Lacy, falling 1-0.

Lacy went seven strong innings, allowing just one hit and striking out nine along the way. His fastball topped out at 96mph on the gun, with his offspeed stuff dipping as low as 77mph. His assortment of pitches kept the Frogs off balance all night, as they only managed one hit.

Lacy also walked three and hit two, but managed to work around base runners every time TCU began to threaten.

Brandon Williamson held his own for the Frogs as well, pitching five innings and striking out five, allowing just two hits and one earned run. Williamson also walked three batters (all in a row) including one with the bases loaded in the third inning.

That third inning secured Texas A&M’s lone run of the night. After opening the inning with a strikeout Williamson gave up a single, followed by three consecutive walks, pushing the Aggies’ run across.

The inning could have been worse, but Zach Humphreys - starting at third for the second straight game - started a 5-3 double-play to get the Frogs out of a tough spot.

The Frogs managed to put four runners on second base throughout the night, but none even came close to advancing to third, more or less home. Every time TCU began to threaten, Lacy - or A&M’s bullpen, worked out of the jam.

Jake Eissler came on in the sixth inning for the Frogs, and did Jake Eissler things. He pitched three innings, struck out three, and allowed just two hits.

Lacy’s no-hitter advanced into the seventh inning, when Hunter Wolfe hit a rope to third base. It glanced off the third baseman and Wolfe reached first safely, and it was ruled a hit.

After 98 pitches of dominance through seven innings, Lacy gave way to Texas A&M’s bullpen. Bryce Miller, Joseph Menefee, and Kasey Kalich allowed just two base runners through two innings (both on walks), closing out the one-hitter.

In the ninth TCU sent the heart of their order up hoping to find a run. Josh Watson led the ninth inning off with a walk, but Henry flew out, Guenther struck out, and Isola lined out to second base to end the game.

It’s the first time TCU has lost to Texas A&M since the Super Regional round in 2016.

The Frogs wrap up their time in Houston with a 7pm game against Rice on Sunday night.

Check out post game comments from Jim Schlossnagle and Brandon Williamson below: