Four Thoughts on TCU’s 4-3 Win Over Virginia in the College World Series
The college baseball postseason started with 64 teams playing for a chance to win it all. Last week, the field was cut down to 16 in the Super Regionals and now, the journey is complete as eight teams will make the trip to Omaha. The TCU Horned Frogs faced the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in game one and lost. On Sunday, they played Virginia who lost their opening round game to Florida. Here are my four thoughts on Sunday’s game.
1. TCU’s Pitching Was Fantastic
After pitching well in the Super Regionals, Sam Stoutenborough got another opportunity to start on Sunday in the College World Series. Stoutenborough pitched 4.2 innings and allowed just one run on two hits during his time out on the mound. Garrett Wright took over in the fifth inning and pithed nearly three innings before being pulled. Wright gave up two runs before closer Ben Abeldt came in. Abeldt got the last five outs of the game and gave up just one hit. I thought these three did an excellent job against a good Virginia lineup.
2. TCU Made Virginia’s Pitchers Work
Something that isn’t talked about a lot is quality at bats. I know home runs always steal the show with the flash that they bring but making a pitcher work is always something that impresses me. Good teams have good at bats, and they can eat up pitching rather quickly. TCU made Virginia’s pitchers work throughout the game and it showed on Sunday. Outside of Austin Davis, nobody for TCU really got a big hit but they did have key at bats from Cole Fontenelle who hit a sac-fly in the first inning before bringing another run across in the third due to a groundout. Virginia’s pitching has been good all season long, but TCU certainly got the best of them on Sunday afternoon with their quality at bats.
3. Goodbye Virginia
Coming into the College World Series, I thought Oral Roberts would be the first team eliminated. Unfortunately, TCU fell short in game one and Virginia blew a lead in the ninth inning against Florida on opening day. Now after losing to TCU, Virginia’s season is over which is a bit surprising to me. Maybe the emotion of Friday’s loss took a lot out of that team or maybe they just didn’t have it today. Either way, the Virginia Cavaliers are the first team eliminated from Omaha.
4. Survive and Advance
Sunday’s game was a must win for TCU since it was an elimination game. After losing the opener to Oral Roberts, the Horned Frogs had to beat Virginia and they were able to take care of business. The Cavilers are an extremely talented team and to get past them is no easy task by any means. TCU still has a long road ahead of them because they will need to win three more games just to reach the finals. The Horned Frogs will face the loser of the Florida/Oral Roberts game on Tuesday in another elimination game. No matter who they end up playing, Tuesday’s game is a must win or else they will be sent home packing.
