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Corey Shimada drove in the winning runs against TCU.
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March 22, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY - Senior shortstop Corey Shimada's two-out double drove in the go-ahead runs to lead the Utah baseball team to a 9-8 win in 10 innings over No. 14 TCU on Sunday at Franklin Covey Field.
Utah (8-11, 2-4 MWC) led 7-5 heading into the ninth inning when TCU mounted a comeback. Ben Carruthers led off the frame for the Horned Frogs with a double down the left field line and Matt Carpenter followed with a single. Both players were driven in via sacrifice to tie the game, 7-7.
TCU scored first in the top of the 10th inning, with Jimmie Pharr coming up with a double and Brett Medlin following with a triple to right center field to drive in what was then the go-ahead run and put the Horned Frogs up, 8-7.
After Austin Jones led off Utah's 10th inning with a single, two straight Utes struck out before Zach Jones drew a walk and both scored on Shimada's subsequent double for the game winning runs.
"I was just looking for a pitch to hit and hit it hard," Shimada said. "This was a great confidence booster for our entire team because this is a good win against a good team. We just came out and played hard and showed what we can do."
"I'm happy with the win," Utah head coach Bill Kinneburg said. "To battle back with two outs was really big for us. Friday's loss was really tough and we saw the effects of that late in the game, but I really think we can take this win and build on it."
Starter Jordan Whatcott went seven innings for the Utes, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out five and allowing one walk.
"[Whatcott] was very good for us today," Kinneburg said. "We need that kind of performance from him early in the game and I thought he was outstanding and even looked better in the sixth and seventh innings."
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Four different Utah batters (Shimada, C.J. Cron, Austin Jones, and Tyler Yagi) turned in two-hit performances on the day. Shimada, Yagi and Devin Walker each drove in two runs apiece.
The Utes did not commit an error in the field, while the Horned Frogs committed four on the day.
TCU dropped to 13-6 overall and 2-1 in Mountain West Conference play. Erik Miller took the loss and is now 0-2 this year after pitching the 10th inning while giving up two runs on two hits.
Utah travels to Gonzaga for single games on Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch for Tuesday's game in Spokane, Wash., is set for 6:30 p.m. PT.
