TCU set a school-record with 26 strikeouts against Texas A&M.
HOUSTON – Ryan Merrill’s walk-off double capped a wild comeback for No. 1 TCU as it rallied to defeat No. 15 Texas A&M 11-10 in 15 innings. The Horned Frogs scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings.
Here's the game-winner courtesy of Ryan Merrill! #LateNightWithTheFrogs #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/umIgvU96ys
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) March 5, 2017
Josh Watson’s lead-off single in the 15th helped complete the Frogs improbable come back from down 10-5 in the bottom of the ninth. A fielder’s choice erased Watson, but Nolan Brown used his speed to swipe second. With two on and one out, Merrill delivered a shot to the right-center alley for a walk-off double.
Texas A&M led from the get-go, scoring five times in the first. TCU scratched and clawed to keep it close, but the Aggies always seemed to have an answer. The Frogs got a run back in the bottom of the first on a two-out single from Luken Baker, but a two-spot in the fifth for A&M pushed the deficit back to six.
TCU picked up four runs combined in the sixth and seventh to cut the Aggie lead to three, 8-5. A two-run, two-out double in the ninth by Texas A&M seemed to put the game out of reach.
BALLGAME!! TCU completes the rally on Merrill's walk-of double!! TCU wins 11-10 in 15. #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/rn3aJNLAZd
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) March 5, 2017
Five straight walks were issued by the Aggies to start the ninth, plating two runs and putting the go-ahead run at first. Austin Ingraham cut the deficit to two, 10-8, with his first-career hit. With two outs, Elliott Barzilli ripped a sharp grounder down the third base line. Two runs scored on the play and the game was tied at 10.
Sean Wymer was the stop-gap the Frogs needed as he retired all 15 batters he faced with a career-high nine strikeouts. Durbin Feltman tossed a scoreless top of the 15th to record the victory setting up Merrill’s heroics in the bottom of the frame.
