Box Score
FORT WORTH, Texas – University of San Francisco starting pitcher
Alex Balog threw six shutout innings and Zachary Turner's solo home run in the sixth inning provided the Dons all the runs they would need, as they beat TCU, 3-0, at Lupton Stadium Saturday. The Dons pulled to .500 on the season, evening their record at 15-15.
Balog (2-3) dominated the Horned Frogs hitters, allowing just two singles in his six innings of work. Regular Friday starter
Abe Bobb, who had last night off, pitched three no-hit innings of relief for his first save of the season. Trevor Seidenberger took the loss for TCU, falling to 1-2 on the year.
The Dons offense was held scoreless through five innings, managing only two singles before Turner hit a long home run to left field with two outs in the sixth for the first run of the game.
Mitchell Rowan singled, advanced to third on a
Bob Cruikshank double, and came around to score on a wild pitch for the second run of the inning. The Dons extended their lead to three in the seventh inning, the final run of the game.
“Alex was very competitive today,” said USF Head Coach
Nino Giarratano. “He was able to pitch out of trouble and give us an opportunity to win. Abe was sharp in relief and finished the shutout. Offensively, we were good today. I thought the guys at the top of the order had good at-bats today. That was a big home run by Zach to put us ahead, and it's been great to have
Ryan Matranga back behind the plate.”
Matranga has started the last two games for USF after missing 13 games after breaking his thumb at Oregon State.
The Dons will go for the series win tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. PDT.
Christian Cecilio (3-0, 411 ERA) will face Andrew Mitchell (0-1, 3.86 ERA). The play-by-play broadcast can be heard at USFDons.com/live.
Inside the Numbers
Bob Cruikshank's double in the sixth was his 12
th of the year.
Nik Balog led the Dons last season with 15.
Line of the Game
Alex Balog – 6.0 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts
