Frogs' season comes to a heartbreaking conclusion

Sunday, June 1

Stillwater, Okla.

1:00 PM

TCU

44-19

Oklahoma State

44-17

TCU

Oklahoma State

Bryan Kervin drove in two runs in the first inning.

Frogs' season comes to a heartbreaking conclusion

6/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

June 1, 2008

Final Stats

STILLWATER, Okla. - No. 18 TCU's never-say-die approach again appeared as it battled back from an 8-2 deficit with six runs in the last two innings to tie the game. The comeback was not to be, though, as Jordy Mercer of No. 5 Oklahoma State hit his third homer of the game in the bottom of the ninth to give the Cowboys a 9-8 victory in the Stillwater Regional.

Bryan Kervin drove in four runs in his final game in the Purple and White. TCU finished another outstanding season with a 44-19 record.

Trailing 8-2 entering the eighth inning, the Frogs came alive. A furious two-out rally pulled them within one as they plated five runs on four hits. Ben Carruthers opened the inning with a base hit up the middle and move to second on a walk to Steve Ellington, ending OSU starter Matt Gardner's day.

Relief pitcher Matt Peck quickly retired the first two batters he faced before Chris Ellington reached on an infield single. Carruthers raced home on an errant throw by the third baseman Tyrone Hambly. Bryan Holaday worked a walk to load the bases. Mercer came on to close the game and gave up a single to Matt Vern that drove in a run and Kervin cleared the bases with a double to right center.

Carruthers completed the Frogs comeback with a lead-off home run in the top of the ninth inning. However, Mercer drove the first pitch of the bottom half of the ninth over the center field fence to end the game.

The Cowboys jumped out in front in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead. Oklahoma State loaded the bases with nobody out. TCU starter Seth Garrison got a big out as Luis Flores bounced into a fielder's choice. Thomas Belza broke the scoreless tie with a sacrifice fly to center field.

In the third inning, the Frogs broke down defensively leading to another Cowboy run. Donnie Webb singled to open the inning and moved to third on a one out single by Matt Hague. A misplay on a potential double play ball allowed Webb to score.

TCU cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth, picking up a run on two hits. Ben Carruthers singled up the middle to open the inning and moved to third on a base hit from Steve Ellington. Clint Arnold drove in the lone run of the inning with a line drive sacrifice fly to center field.

Two home runs in the bottom of the inning put the Frogs in a deep hole as they plated three runs on three hits. Belza drove in his second run of the game with a long home run to right field. After a two-out walk to Webb, Jordy Mercer hit a line drive home run over the left field fence for a 5-1 OSU advantage.

Kervin got one of the runs back with a two-out home run in the top of the fifth, his third of the season.

Andrew Cashner (9-4) came on in relief of Garrison, who allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits in four innings of work. He walked two and struck out three in the loss. Cashner went four innings, allowing four runs on two hits. He struck out five and walked two.

TCU had a chance to close the gap in the fifth inning as they had two runners in scoring position. Arnold was hit by the pitch with two outs and Carpenter lined a double in the gap in left center. Chris Ellington lined sharply to center field, ending the Frog rally.

After retiring the side in order in the fifth, Cashner ran into control issues, walking two of the first three batters in the inning. Mercer made the walks hurt as he launched his second home run of the contest over the left field fence for an 8-2 lead.

For the Cowboys, starter Matt Gardner kept the Frogs off balance, limiting the base runners.

The Frogs bid goodbye to seniors Bryan Kervin, Clint Arnold, Steve Ellington and Dillon Farish. The 44 wins on the season rank second all-time at TCU.