TCU Rallies From Behind for Baseball Win

Sunday, May 4

Fort Worth, Texas

1:00 PM

University of Utah

16-24, 5-12

TCU

33-16, 16-5

University of Utah

TCU Horned Frogs

5/4/2008 12:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 4, 2008

Box Score

FORT WORTH, Texas - The University of Utah baseball team held on to its 3-0 lead for 5.5 innings, only to see TCU rally late in the ballgame to tally the 6-4 league victory here this afternoon.

Three of the four Utah (16-24, 5-12 Mountain West) runs came with two outs on the board, as it scored two in the second and one in the third. But, Utah's offense hit a lull as TCU rallied for a three-run seventh inning to take the lead. TCU's squeeze play and two-run homer in the seventh gave it what it needed to down Utah for the series sweep.

The Utes staged a rally of its own in the ninth inning. Corey Shimada hit a leadoff homer to make it 6-4, and Cody Guymon followed that with a single. But, TCU got Jesse Shriner to hit into a double play and Dustin Hennis to ground out to end the game.

John James got the start on the mound, and he takes the loss this afternoon. He tossed for 6.1, allowing seven hits and five runs (all earned). James walked three and K'd a pair of TCU batters.

Utah did hold the 13-9 edge in hits this afternoon. Seven of those hit came in the first four innings, helping Utah to build its early 3-0 lead. Guymon and Michael Beltran led the offense today. They both had a pair of hits and an RBI this afternoon. Shimada tallied an RBI on his sixth homer of the year. Nick Kuroczko also had an RBI single.

The Utes threatened with runners in scoring position in the first three innings, and they made good on their threat in the second and third. A bunt single, stolen base and a tag on a fly-out put Cooper Blanc on third with two outs on the board. Then, Kuroczko hit a bloop-single to right field to plate Blanc. Utah's 1-0 lead doubled when Guymon hit a two-out grounder with eyes through the right side. Kuroczko, who singled and advanced to second on Shimada's walk, rounded the bases to make it 2-0, Utah.

The visitors added to their lead again in the third. TCU helped Blanc round the bases to put him on third. After starting pitcher Greg Holle plunked Blanc, he advanced to third on a wild pick-off throw and an ensuing wild pitch. Beltran hit a single that hugged the left field line, plating Blanc to make it 3-0. The Utes chased Holle from the game after just 2.2 innings of work. All three runs were earned and he gave up six Utah hits.

TCU finally countered in the fourth when it loaded the bases twice in the inning, both times with only one out. Bryan Holaday helped TCU cut into Utah's lead as his bases-loaded single snuck by the second baseman. It scored two runs. The Horned Frogs loaded the sacks once again with one out, but Utah's starting hurler James got Hunt Woodruff to foul out and Matt Vern to hit into a fielder's choice. The Utes still owned the 3-2 lead after four.

The home team rallied in the sixth to tie the ball game. With the inning's leadoff batter, Chris Ellington, on third, Holaday hit a one-out shot to second base. The diving Shimada knocked it down but couldn't make the play, scoring Chris Ellington from third.

A squeeze play and a two-run homer gave TCU its first lead of the game in the seventh inning. Ben Carruthers laid down the one-out bunt to tie the game Vern scored from third. Insurance came from the bat of Clint Arnold who hit a two-run homer, giving TCU the 6-3 lead after seven.

Trent Appleby gets the win in relief.

Utah returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts Southern Utah at Ute Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. The Utes return to conference play next weekend when they play at the Air Force Academy.