No. 23 Oklahoma Falls 6-3 To TCU In Baseball Action

FORT WORTH, Texas - Following an unusual play in the first inning which allowed TCU to score three early runs, No. 23 Oklahoma was not able to overcome the difference and fell 6-3 Tuesday night at Lupton Stadium. Offensively, Oklahoma (11-7) outhit TCU (12-8) 9-7and was paced by junior first baseman Ole Sheldon who went 3-for-4 effort at the plate and a RBI.

“It was a really key play in the ballgame that cost us three runs,” commented OU head coach Larry Cochell. “Aside from that I thought we played good defense and got a good offensive effort.”

“Our pitchers also did well tonight. I thought (Charlie) House, (Ryan) Mottern, (Mike) Swindell and (Daniel) McCutchen all performed well,” added Cochell.

Box Score

The Horned Frogs scored their first three runs following a bizarre situation in the field. After senior righthander Charlie House relieved starter Charles Benoit (0-1) with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the first inning, House quickly forced the first out at the plate. He then appearred to get out of the inning on a bouncer back to the mound which he fielded and threw home for the force which was then relayed on to first base in time for an apparent double play. As the Sooners cleared the field, the umpire called the runner at home safe and the baserunner at second base continued home to score before OU could return to the field.

Down 3-0, OU climbed back into the game by scoring a pair in the top of the third inning. The first run was scored courteousy of back-to-back doubles by junior centerfielder Jeff Scuderi (1-for-3) and sophomore shortstop Russell Raley (1-for-5). Sheldon helped plate the second run of the inning as he drove in Raley with a single to right field to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Horned Frogs.

TCU answered with three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to extend its lead to 6-2. Rightfielder J.J. Estrada nailed a bases loaded single down the right field line to plate two runs. While attempting to get the final out of the inning on a run down between first and second base, the runner at third base took advantage of the situation and raced home for the third run. Oklahoma did eventually record the third out on the run down to get out of the inning.

The Sooners scratched back with a run in the sixth inning to cut the Horned Frogs lead to 6-3. With junior third baseman Matt Bose (0-for-4) standing at second base after reaching on a fielder's choice and stealing second, junior second baseman Brenan Herrera (1-for-3) drove him home with a single to left field.

A quartet of relievers, including House, Mottern, Swindell and McCutchen, all turned in solid relief efforts. Mottern and Swindell each tossed two scoreless frames, while McCutchen tagged on a final one in the eighth. House pitched the first three innings after relieving Benoit and allowed only three runs on five hits.

OU opens Big 12 Conference play this weekend as Red River Rival, Texas, comes to Norman for a three-game series at L. Dale Mitchell Park this weekend. The series begins on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

No. 23 Oklahoma Falls 6-3 To TCU In Baseball Action

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