Daily Skiff

Issue date: 5/24/09 Section: Sports

Longhorn offensive perfection took down the Horned Frogs in their first Super Regional game by a score of 10-4.

Saturday's game one offered perfect displays of each team's offensive make up as TCU hit three home runs and Texas set a new NCAA record for bunts in a game with 7. The Longhorns perfect execution out matched the long ball and drove Texas to the game one win.

"We picked up runs off the little ball that we play and we also matched the long ball they play so that gave us a little edge tonight," University of Texas head coach Augie Garrido said.

TCU freshman starter Kyle Winkler picked up his first loss of the season, going five and a third innings with five runs on five hits. Pitching, however, was not at fault for the TCU loss; it was failure to stop the Longhorn's offensive cycle.

"You have to get the leadoff hitter out," TCU head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. "Every inning we didn't get the leadoff hitter out they scored and every inning we did get the leadoff hitter out they didn't score."

"They executed when they needed to execute and that makes it tough on us when they do that," TCU third baseman Matt Carpenter said. "I thought we did a pretty good job getting outs when we needed to get outs. They just did a good job playing their style of baseball"

Texas' sophomore starter Chance Ruffin went the distance, throwing all nine with four runs on seven hits and seven strikeouts. TCU first baseman Matt Vern said Ruffin was pitching the Frogs away most of the game leading to only one out recorded to left in the game.

The beginning of the game was a back and forth struggle, homers versus bunts. TCU freshman shortstop Taylor Featherston went deep in the second at bat of the game to put the Frogs up 1-0. The Longhorns came back with their bunting cycle and drove in two. Two more home runs by Carpenter and Vern would be the only other runs the Horned Frogs would tally in the game. TCU's first and only non-home run hit did not come until the 6th inning by Carpenter, who was knocked in right after by Vern's deep shot.

"Honestly, we just happened to have one of those games that was pretty much perfect offensively and that wasn't TCU's fault," Garrido said. "That was just the way baseball goes sometimes. I have tremendous respect for the job that's been done there and the players that they have on the team and I know they are capable of winning. They still are."

Despite game one's final, the Horned Frogs are still optimistic about the rest of the Super Regional.

"We're in the exact same situation we were yesterday, we have to win to games," Schlossnagle said. "The good thing is we have two left to play."

Game two from the Austin Regional is Sunday at 2 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Game coverage will be on ESPN and 103.3 FM ESPN Radio. Game three, if necessary, will be Monday.

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