FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A three-run sixth inning broke a 4-4 tie and TCU went on to defeat Central Connecticut State by a 9-5 score in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional Sunday afternoon. The Horned Frogs’ win sets up a rematch with Arkansas Sunday night at 8.
The Blue Devils opened the scoring with a run on two hits in the first, but as was the case the entire game, TCU had an answer. After Josh Watson reached on an error, Jake Guenther hit a two-run home run to center for a 2-1 lead after one.
A two-out single from Peyton Stephens in the third gave Central Connecticut State a 3-2 lead. Again, it wouldn’t last. Guenther tripled and scored Austin Henry’s two-run shot to left for a 4-3 TCU lead.
Back-to-back doubles to open the fifth for the Blue Devils tied the game. Jake Eissler stranded the runner as he retired three straight to end the inning. That started a string of eight in a row retired by the right-hander.
The offense backed up Eissler’s effort on the mound with a three-spot in the sixth. With runners on the corners and one out, Hunter Wolfe hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Adam Oviedo with the go-ahead run. With two in scoring position and two out, Henry drove a single into center for a 7-4 lead.
Stephens hit a lead-off home run in the eighth to get the Blue Devils within one, 7-5, but the Frogs answered with a two-run home run off the bat of Hunter Wolfe for a comfortable 9-5 lead.
Dawson Barr started and gave the Frogs two innings. He allowed two runs on four hits. Eissler (4-4) allowed three runs on nine hits. He fanned six in picking up the win in relief. Dalton Brown and Cal Coughlin recorded the final four outs.
With the win, TCU improves to 34-27 overall. The Horned Frogs will take on Arkansas later tonight at 8 p.m.
