FORT WORTH — The TCU Horned Frogs offense exploded with five home runs to even the series with the Grand Canyon Lopes 17-9 Saturday at Lutton Stadium.
The Lopes produced a 5-0 lead after the top of the third inning, but TCU scored six two-out runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-5 lead. It all started with Porter Brown reaching base thanks to a walk, and then Josh Watson had a base hit. Austin Henry then singled home to put the Horned Frogs on the scoreboard.
Jake Guenther hit a two-run double to get within two runs of Grand Canyon. Johnny Rizer then hit a three-run homer over the centerfield fence to give the Frogs a 6-5 lead.
The barrage continued into the fourth inning with Conner Shepherd hitting a home run. An error allowed a TCU run to score, and then Guenther hit a double to drive in two more runs and give the Horned Frogs a 10-5 lead.
Austin Henry hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, as did Zach Humphreys. TCU took a 13-5 lead after Rizer scored on an Andrew Keefer sacrifice fly ball.
Humphreys hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to give the Horned Frogs 17 runs for the contest. The Lopes scored four more runs in the top of the ninth to establish the 17-9 final score.
While Jared Janczak got the start, he was quickly replaced with one out in the third inning. Jake Eissler relieved him and retired 16 straight batters while striking out seven in the process.
The Frogs are 4-2 on the season and will go for the series win Sunday at 1:00 p.m. with Brandon Williamson getting the start.