TCU rallies for 3-2 victory over Texas Tech in College World Series
TCU and Texas Tech have lived on the edge throughout the NCAA Tournament.
Their opening game in the College World Series was no different.
The Horned Frogs led, trailed and led, all a matter of minutes before prevailing 32 over their fellow Big 12 squad.
TCU starter Preston Morrison, the Big 12 pitcher of the year, was sailing through seven innings,his 10 lead seemingly enough.
But the Red Raiders put together some good swings off reliever Riley Ferrell in the eighth, and Tyler Neslony drove one to the right field wall for a tworun triple that brought alive the Tech part of the 24,587 at TD Ameritrade Park, including football coach Kilff Kingsbury.
Surviving pitchers duels was nothing new to Tech, which arrived in Omaha off a pair of 10 victories over College of Charleston in the Super Regional.
But small ball was TCU’s response when Tech replaced starter Chris Sadberry, who had matched Morrison for effectiveness.
Keaton Jones beat out an infield single and was sacrificed to second. Cody Jones dribbled one up the middle that second baseman Alec Humphries gloved and should have held. Instead, his throw to first was late and wild and Jones crossed to make it 22.
Boomer White, who drove in a firstinning run with a sacrifice fly, plated the game winner by dropping a single to left. TCU, which needed a final inning rally to overcome Pepperdine in the deciding game of the Super Regional, had pulled out another victory late.
Neither started figured in the decision, but Morrison, who struck out a careerbest 10, and Sadberry were terrific.
"Morrison pitched like the Big 12 pitcher of the year," Tech Coach Tim Tadlock said.
Earlier this season, Morrison had his worst outing against the Red Raiders, lasting two innings. Sunday ranked with his best efforts.
"That first outing, that wasn’t me at all," Morrison said. "Today was more of a typical outing."
TCU Coach Jim Scholssnagle held his firstround draft selection starter Brandon Finnegan, who was taken by the Royals with the No. 17 pick. He now has Finnegan, his power lefty, going in Tuesday’s game against the VirginiaOle Miss winner.
"We’re going to run a lefty up there who’s not bad," Schlossnagle said.
This story was originally published June 15, 2014 at 10:28 PM with the headline "TCU rallies for 3-2 victory over Texas Tech in College World Series."