TCU opens tournament in Houston with resounding victory
Dane Steinhagen had three hits, including a two-run home run in the eighth inning and No. 13 TCU opened the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic with a 7-1 victory over No. 6 Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday.
Brian Howard (2-0) wiggled out of a couple early jams, giving up just one run despite the Ragin’ Cajuns having seven base runners in the first three innings.
[Brian] Howard made good pitches to a lot of good hitters.
TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle
He faced a first-and-third situation in the second inning, but retired the next three batters. In the third inning, Lafayette took a 1-0 lead when Joe Robbins hit a run-scoring triple.
The lead didn’t hold long as TCU answered in the bottom of the inning. Steinhagen singled to lead off the inning and scored on a Cam Warner RBI groundout to tie the game.
TCU broke the game open with a four-run fifth. The Frogs hit three doubles and a Ragin’ Cajun error led to three unearned runs.
Connor Wanhanen singled home Steinhagen to put the Frogs in front. Back-to-back doubles from Luken Baker and Josh Watson pushed the lead to 5-1.
“[Brian] Howard made good pitches to a lot of good hitters. We have a lot of respect for their team,” TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said.
La.-Lafayette | 001 | 000 | 000 | — | 1 | 5 | 1 |
TCU | 001 | 040 | 02x | — | 7 | 12 | 2 |
Leger, Carter (5), Charpentier (8) and Thurman. Howard, Burnett (7), Feltman (9) and Skoug. W—Howard (2-0). L—Leger (0-1). 2B—TCU: Baker, Watson, Steinhagen. 3B—ULL: Robbins. HR—TCU: Steinhagen. SB—TCU: Barzilli. E—ULL: Kasuls. TCU: Wanhanen, Merrill.
RECORDS — TCU 4-1. La-Lafayette 3-2.
This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 8:39 PM with the headline "TCU opens tournament in Houston with resounding victory."