Pirates Fall Two Games Back With Loss AT TCU
April 18, 2003 | Baseball
FORT WORTH, TEXAS --- TCU scored three runs in the top of the first and that proved to be all the run support that right-handed starter Clayton Jerome needed as the Horned Frogs defeated East Carolina, 8-2, in Conference USA baseball action here Friday.
With the loss, the Pirates fall two games back of Southern Miss for first place in Conference USA, while TCU moves into sole possession of second place. Jerome (8-1) scattered seven hits over eight innings, allowing just one earned run with eight strikeouts to earn his sixth consecutive victory.
TCU (24-15, 11-5 CUSA) sent eight men to the plate and collected five hits during the first frame. Chris Meeks and Mike Settles each doubled during the frame while Terry Trofolz and Justin Hatcher added RBI singles.
East Carolina (24-14-1, 10-6 CUSA) finally broke through with a run in the third. With runners at first and second, Darryl Lawhorn hit a ground ball that was misplayed by shortstop Shaff Elkouri, and allowed John Poppert to score from second. The Pirates had the bases loaded with just one out in the inning, but were unable to capitalize further.
The game's scariest moment came in the bottom of the sixth when Justin Hatcher hit a rocket back at ECU starting pitcher Davey Penny (4-3), which ricocheted off his glove and hit him in the mouth. Penny suffered a split lip, but was no further injury was sustained. He was able to walk off the field under his own power.
The Horned Frogs scored four runs in the seventh inning to break the game open. Justin Lewis' three-run triple highlighted the frame. They also added a single run in the sixth.
ECU tacked on another run in the eighth to determine the final margin.
Jamie Paige and Ryan Jones each collected two hits on the eveing.
The two teams will do battle again on Saturday beginning a 7:30 p.m. EST. ECU is scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Will Brinson to the mound, while TCU is expected to counter with lefty Kyle Shoemaker.
