Horned Frogs Hop Bobcats After Big Sixth Inning

Texas State baseball hosted Texas Christian University on a humid Tuesday evening for the second meeting this season, and thirty-fourth overall between the two teams, dropping the contest 9-5.

Bobcat pitcher Michael Russo came out weak to start on the bump, giving up two runs early. The Bobcat offense, however, was brought to life when designated hitter Keith Prestridge hit a two-run home run over the left center field wall to tie the game 2-2. The offense died down in the inning, but by the top of the second inning, Russo was in better command of his pitches with his curve ball breaking more sharply and was able to spot his fastball better as the game went on.

By the top of the third inning, right fielder Ben Ellington hit a double to right center field, where Bobcat center fielder Bret Atwood bobbled the ball at the wall, allowing the runner to reach third. TCU regained the lead by one run when designated hitter Matt Curry hit a ground ball to second base, scoring.

The Bobcats answered in the bottom of the third from with a solo shot over the left field wall by left fielder Tyler Sibley to lead off the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Sibley reached first on a throwing error by TCU shortstop Tyler Featherston. Atwood followed that at-bat with a triple to right field to score Sibley all the way from first to take the first and only lead for the Bobcats. Texas State seemed to have the momentum under control, but come the top of the sixth inning that edge was flipped, cutting into the Bobcat bullpen in grand fashion by the top of the sixth.

Designated hitter Curry led the frame off with a solo home run to left field, an opposite-field shot for the left-handed hitter. The following hitter Jason Coats chopped a shot to left center field that seemed to carry itself out of the park without the help of the wind.

That back-to-back shots ended Russo's night, bringing in reliever Tim Heath from the 'pen. Heath gave up a third consecutive home run to Featherson, to even deeper left center field, giving TCU a 7-4 lead with nobody out. The damage continued as the 'Frogs pieced together hit after hit to stretch the lead to 9-4.

The Bobcats settled down by the eight inning, and the offense was jolted by a single from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, his only hit of the night. Prestridge double to center, sending Goldschmidt to third. Lance Loftin, Bobcat third baseman and reliever, struck out for the second time on the night, but Kyle Kubitza walked to load the bases. Second baseman Adam Witek crushed a shot over the second base bag, scoring Goldschmidt and caping the offense for either team on the night.

By the ninth inning, Loftin transfered from third to the mound to close the game, and did so successfully, not allowing a hit and striking out one. To no avail, the Bobcats could not spur the offense in the home half of the ninth, and the Hornedfrogs won 9-5.

The all-time series stands in favor of TCU, winning 22 of the last 34 meetings. Under current head coach Jim Schlossnagle, the 'Frogs have won 5 of the last 8 meetings with the Bobcats.

Texas Christian is a powerful team from the Mountain West Conference, winning five consecutive MWC titles from 2004 to 2008. To see Texas State put up a good fight against a prestigious team such as the 'Frogs is exciting to watch for a budding program with tools in place to be a Southland Conference powerhouse.

Overall the Bobcats take the loss as a learning experience heading into a weekend series against Sam Houston State, Mar. 13-15. Sam Houston and Texas State are 3-0 each in SLC play this season, and this will be the first matchup between the two in 2009. First pitch for game one against Sam Houston State is set from Friday, Mar. 13, at 6:30 p.m.

Mason Robinson- KTSW Sports Staff Writer