Until the third game, the Cougars’ offense was consistent throughout the weekend, but the pitching staff could not keep TCU’s offense off of the scoreboard in games two and three. | File Photo/The Daily Cougar
After winning the first game of the series in dramatic fashion, the Cougars lost the next two to fall under .500 for the first time this season.
TCU used a seven-run second inning to beat the Cougars 9-1 in the third game Sunday in Fort Worth, winning the series two games to one.
TCU scored after starting pitcher Codey Morehouse walked the first batter and then gave up a pair of singles, scoring one run. Morehouse then gave up a triple that scored two runs. The next two batters reached base via walk and hit batter to load the bases.
With the bases loaded, Aaron Schultz hit a grand-slam home run to center field. After a walk to the next batter, Morehouse exited the game after allowing seven runs and recording no outs.
Travis Jenkins entered in relief of Morehouse and was effective. He pitched six innings allowing two hits and no runs.
Taylor Hammack pitched the eighth inning for UH and gave up two more runs to the Horned Frogs.
The Cougars (11-12) managed to score one run in the game and it came in the fifth inning, when M.P. Cokinos singled in Chase Jensen who had reached via walk.
TCU pitcher Steven Maxwell had a solid outing against the Cougars, striking out 10 batters in six innings and allowing one run.
Saturday’s game featured a reversal of fortunes for the Cougars.
TCU (16-8) used a late-game rally to come from behind to beat UH. After the Cougars jumped out to a 9-3 lead through five innings, TCU scored seven runs in the sixth inning to erase the UH advantage.
Starter Jordan Lewis pitched five innings and left the game in the sixth with the Cougars still in the lead.
Jordan Mannisto relieved Lewis and was unable to protect the lead. He allowed five runs on five hits in only one-third of an inning. TCU took the lead 10-9 after the inning.
After the Horned Frogs scored two more runs in the seventh, the Cougars scored once in the eight to cut the deficit to 12-10. TCU scored four more times in the bottom of the eighth to extend the lead to 16-10. The Cougars went down quietly in the ninth, taking the loss.
The Cougars opened the series with a come-from-behind win over the Horned Frogs on Friday.
On the brink of defeat, the Cougars used a six-run rally in the top of the ninth to go ahead for the first time in the game, 7-6.
With the bases loaded , Ryan Still singled, driving in the Cougars’ second run. Four batters and three runs later, Matt Creel came up to bat and doubled in two more runs to give UH the lead.
Dakota Dill pitched the bottom of the ninth and shut down the TCU batters to preserve the Cougar victory and earn his third save of the season.
The Cougars return to town to play Rice at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Reckling Park.
