Frogs Take Series, Win Game Three 7-3

Sunday, February 20

Boca Raton, Fla.

12:00 PM

TCU

5-2

Florida Atlantic

4-2

TCU

Florida Atlantic

Tim McGough earned his first win of the season.

Frogs Take Series, Win Game Three 7-3

2/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 20, 2005

Boca Raton, Fla. - The No. 23 TCU Horned Frogs won the rubber match against Florida Atlantic on Sunday afternoon at FAU Field. TCU defeated the Owls 7-3 behind outstanding pitching from Tim McGough, Brad Furnish and Shawn Ferguson. The Frogs jumped out early and led the entire game.

The Horned Frogs wasted no time jumping on top, picking up three runs in the first inning off a wild Chris Salberg. Ryan Pack lined a 3-2 pitch over the right center field fence to put the Frogs up 1-0. Matt McGuirk drew a four-pitch walk and moved to third on a base knock from Andrew Walker. McGuirk scampered home on a wild pitch from Salberg. J.J. Estrada drove a two-out single up the middle to push the lead to 3-0.

Florida Atlantic had threats brewing in the third, fourth and fifth innings, but TCU starter, Tim McGough was able to wiggle out of it, leaving seven runners on base in that stretch, six of which were in scoring position for the Owls.

TCU picked up a run in the fifth inning as they loaded the bases with one out. Stuart Musslewhite singled to start the inning and Ryan Pack drew a one-out walk. Matt McGuirk popped a ball into left field that fell for a hit, loading the bases. With Walker at the plate, reliever Brandon Kloess threw a pitch to the backstop, allowing Musslewhite to cross the plate with the Frogs fourth run of the game.

FAU finally cracked the scoreboard in the fifth, scoring two runs on a long home run by Jordan Hafer. The Frogs got the two runs back in the top of the sixth on a two-out double off the center field wall by Ryan Pack. A pinch-hit home run by Mike McKenna in the sixth cut the TCU lead to 6-3.

TCU picked up a run in the eighth with a two out rally. Jerid Buttell singled, moved to second when Pack took a pitch off the back. McGuirk delivered the clutch two-out single through the left side to give TCU a 7-3 lead. FAU was unable to put together anything in their last two at-bats.

McGough went five innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking only one. Brad Furnish pitched excellent in relief, allowing a run on two hits, no walks and striking out three. Shawn Ferguson came on for the third straight game to close it out in the ninth inning.

The Frogs will stay on the road as they head to Huntsville, Texas for an afternoon match-up with Sam Houston State. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m. on the Sam Houston campus.