TCU opts for Lodolo against Louisville, matching freshman left-handers

Freshman left-hander Nick Lodolo will start Thursday for TCU against Louisville, coach Jim Schlossnagle said.

It makes the elimination game at the College World Series a matchup of All-America freshman left-handers. Louisville is going with Nick Bennett, who earned All-American recognition from Perfect Game after going 5-0 with a 2.70 ERA in the regular season for the Cardinals.

Lodolo, the highest Major League draft pick not to sign professionally last summer, made 14 starts and a 15th appearance in relief for TCU in the regular season, going 5-1 with a 4.28 ERA to earn All-American recognition from Collegiate Baseball. In Omaha, he pitched a perfect inning on Sunday against Florida.

Schlossnagle considered using senior right-hander Mitchell Traver on Thursday, but now he is likely the starter for a Friday game if the Horned Frogs advance. Jared Janczak would pitch no earlier than Saturday, Schlossnagle said earlier this week.

Lodolo said last week when the Horned Frogs arrived in Omaha he would be ready to pitch, despite a nearly month off since his last start.

This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 11:29 AM with the headline "TCU opts for Lodolo against Louisville, matching freshman left-handers."