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Pitching
troubles continue The Frogs aren’t
any closer to settling on a fourth starter to the rotation after
giving up 24 runs in two days, but nobody is in panic mode. “We thought it would take 20 games or so before we find out exactly who can pitch in what situations,” said assistant coach Donnie Watson. “I don’t think it is time to panic. Some of these kids haven’t pitched at this level. It will take them some time to get their feet on the ground. They’ll be fine.” Frogs hurlers got hit hard for the second day in a row Wednesday, allowing 10 runs on 12 hits to Texas Tech in a 10-9 loss at the TCU Diamond. Tuesday, the Frogs (3-6) allowed 14 runs to the Red Raiders (10-4). In that span, the team’s ERA has shot up to 5.33 from 3.62. Still trying to decide on a fourth starter for the pitching rotation, the Frogs got to evaluate eight different pitchers the past two days — and saw five of them get shelled. Of the lone exceptions was junior college transfer Ryan Grafe, who pitched a sparkling 5 1/3 innings in relief Tuesday and only allowed one unearned run. Starter Tim Collinsworth, struggling with control, only pitched into the fourth inning Wednesday and gave up seven hits and six runs. His replacement, freshman southpaw Chris White, didn’t fair much better, giving up four runs in 2 1/3 innings. White said his performance didn’t help his chances of earning a spot in the rotation. “I wasn’t throwing strikes and I was getting behind in the count so I had to come back over the plate,” White said. “It was just one of those days. I couldn’t find the strike zone.” The Frogs only have two returning pitchers who pitched more than 30 innings last season, sophomore Clayton Jerome and junior Patrick Newburn, neither of whom had an ERA below 5.50. Combined, the Frogs eight returning pitchers had a 6.33 ERA last season. But injuries have hurt as much as inexperience. Head coach Lance Brown said only one of the Frogs new additions to the pitching staff was healthy last fall — robbing coaches valuable examination time. (Brown said junior transfer Kyle Shoemaker was the lone injury-free newcomer, who has been the Frogs most effective new face thus far with a 2.45 ERA.) “We came into this spring not knowing what they could or couldn’t do,” Brown said. Instead of finding out those things in the fall, unfortunately we are finding out in the middle of the season. That’s a problem, but I am glad we are doing it now before we start (conference play).” The conference schedule starts March 15, in exactly 22 days. Brown said if no one emerges as the fourth starter, the team will take a committee approach to the job, starting relievers for two or three innings and letting the bullpen take over the rest of the way. “We have done years of just taking the relievers on Tuesday,” Brown said. Unless somebody emerges between now and the next three weeks, this might be another one of those years. Brandon
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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