Two runs in bottom of ninth give TCU win over UC Irvine
TCU scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning - on a bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly - as the Horned Frogs rallied past Cal Irvine in Friday's opener of a three-game series at Lupton Stadium.
Senior outfielder A.J. Balta was the provider of the game-winning RBI to go with three hits in the game. The fly out scored pinch runner Colton Parrish from third base and improved third-ranked TCU to 6-2 overall. The bases were loaded after Zach Humphreys drew a base-filling walk in an eight-pitch at-bat.
It was the second time this season TCU had come back from an eighth-inning deficit. The Frogs scored twice in the ninth to win the season opener at Grand Canyon.
UC Irvine's loss drops the Anteaters to 6-3.
Starting pitcher Jared Janczak allowed only two hits and three runs over six strong innings. He struck out six.
UT Arlington 8, Wright State 6
UT Arlington overcame an early deficit only to give up runs in the final two innings of an 8-6 loss to Wright State in Friday's opening game of a weekend series at Clay Gould Ballpark.
UTA (3-4) fell behind early after a three-run home run and a solo blast by Wright State (4-5).
The Mavericks rallied with a five-run sixth inning powered by doubles from RJ Williams, Christian Hollie and Josh Minjarez to claim a 6-4 lead. But the good times didn't last long as Wright State posted two-run frames in the eighth and ninth innings to win the series opener.
Ka’ikepono Anderson pitched seven innings, allowing eight hits and four runs – three earned – walking one and striking out two.
Drew Gooch took over to open the eighth inning with a two-run lead, getting an out but exiting with the bases loaded and one out after a hit and two walks.
UTA collected eight hits in the game, getting a two-hit game from junior infielder Will Olson. The series will resume Saturday at 2 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark.
This story was originally published March 2, 2018 at 11:18 PM with the headline "Two runs in bottom of ninth give TCU win over UC Irvine."