TCU wins over UT Pan American
FORT WORTH, Texas – Erik Miller and Andrew Mitchell combined to hand UT Pan American a 2-0 loss as the TCU Horned Frogs stretched their winning streak to four games. Josh Elander and Jantzen Witte drove in the lone runs for the Frogs.
Miller (1-5) was outstanding in just his second start of the season. He held the Broncs to seven hits over seven innings, didn’t walk a batter and struck out four. Mitchell tallied his second save of the season with two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit, one walk and struck out two.
Jason Coats reached on a bunt single in the second inning and moved to second on an errant pick-off throw. With two outs, Elander lined a single up the middle to give the Frogs the early 1-0 advantage.
Miller allowed two-out hits in the third through fifth innings, but each time made the pitches he needed to hold onto the 1-0 lead. In the sixth, the Broncs got a pair of one-out base hits, but Miller came through with a ground ball and the Frogs turned an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play to get out of the jam.
The Frogs spoiled a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the sixth inning. Broncs starter Luis Flores loaded
the bases with Frogs, plunking Aaron Schultz, Witte and Pena. Similar to Miller, Flores had the out pitching working and got Elander to pop out to end the inning without allowing a run to cross the plate.
TCU’s defense once again came up big in the seventh inning after Vincent Mejia singled to lead off the inning. Miller induced a pop up on the infield then got Colton Van Komen to bounce into the inning-ending double play.
Flores’ fifth hit-by-pitch proved to be one too many as the Frogs turned it into their second run of the ballgame. Featherston became the fifth victim with one out and raced home run first on a double down the left field line off the bat of Witte to give the Frogs the all-important 2-0 lead.
Mitchell pitched around a lead-off walk in the ninth to lock up the victory for TCU.
The Horned Frogs improve to 19-9 on the season. The series will continue Wednesday night at Lupton Stadium. Kyle Starratt will make the start for the Frogs beginning at 6:30 p.m.
