College Confidential

Vern delivers, TCU leads

Ben Carruthers got robbed of a home run last inning.
But Matt Vern sure didn't.
Vern just belted a three-run homer to left center field, his second homer in the regionals, and gave TCU a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the third inning. The Hilltoppers have changed pitchers, and Colby Beach is now in to relieve. -Trae

Keep in mind

I can't blog near as much as usual. Big Brother, er, the NCAA is watching, and I'm allowed to do only one blog entry per half inning about the game (I was told, too, that they could revoke credentials for next year's regionals). Like last week, I'm going to just keep quiet and be standup about this. -Trae

Tough break

TCU had two runners on base with one out in the bottom of the second when Ben Carruthers belted a ball to left field. What looked to be a three-run homer fell short, as Western Kentucky left fielder Jeremy Coleman leaped and made a catch above the wall to rob Carruthers.
Great catch. -Trae

TCU adds two

Not a bad start for the Horned Frogs lineup. Clint Arnold's double to left, and Chris Ellington's single up the middle drove in two runs for TCU.
The score is now 4-2, as the top of the second begins. -Trae

Hilltoppers lead, 4-0

Sean Hoelscher loaded the bases with three straight walks, and Chad Cregar cleared them with a grand slam to right field, giving Western Kentucky a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Hoelscher is already gone, and Trent Appleby is in to relieve for TCU. -Trae Thompson

Back at Reynolds Stadium

TCU (43-18) and Western Kentucky (33-26) get underway in about 15 minutes. Sean Hoelscher (7-3) gets the start for the Frogs. In 66 1/3 innings, Hoelscher has a 4.48 ERA and has allowed 33 earned runs and 23 walks. He also has 53 strikeouts. Righthander Rye Davis (3-5) gets the start for the Hilltoppers. -Trae

TCU loses, 8-5

TCU gets another home from Chris Ellington in the ninth, but that's not enough, as Wichita State wins, 8-5. -Trae Thompson

Getting ugly

Wichita State just scored again, and leads 8-4.
Farish is gone, and Taylor Cragin is now in to relieve for TCU. -Trae

Lockwood done

Tyler Lockwood's day is over. Derek VerHagen came in for one batter, and gave up a sac to left that put Wichita State up 7-4 here in the bottom of the eighth.
Dillon Farish is now in. -Trae

Fan is OK

An Oklahoma State school official said the Wichita State fan who was helped by paramedics earlier is fine. The fan overheated but his vital signs are good.
-Trae