Brown one win shy of 500 as Frogs coach
Team to play 3-game series with Houston
By Evan Erwin
Skiff Staff

The baseball team could do more than just extend its winning streak when it faces off against Houston today for the first of a three-game series at Lupton Stadium.

Head coach Lance Brown could grab his 500th career victory at TCU.

When asked about the milestone, Brown thought it would never be attainable.

“Somebody told me (at) the first of the year that (500 wins) was a possibility, but we have been really busy with the dedication and all,” Brown said. . “My sister said something when I got 400 wins, but I told her that I’d never get 500.”

If TCU sweeps the Cougars, Brown could also reach 200 career conference wins at TCU.

History won’t be on the Frogs side this weekend. The Frogs have an 31-45-2 all-time record against Houston and were swept last season in a three-game series in May.

“We have scouted (Houston) pretty well,” Brown said. “We have all the stats on the match-ups with them.”

TCU will likely see some pretty good pitching this weekend in Houston pitcher Brad Sullivan. The junior is coming off a season in which he earned many awards. He was named the 2002 Consensus All-American, Conference USA Pitcher of the Year and named to the All C-USA First Team and 2002 USA National Team.

“He pitched against us last year and threw a great game,” Brown said. “The rest of their pitching staff is really strong too.”

Sullivan had a rocky start to his season, going 0-3. He has come on as of late, going 3-0 in his last five appearances with 47 strikeouts, 19 hits and an ERA of .72. His most recent win came against Cincinnati when he had 13 strikeouts and only four hits in eight innings of work.

Junior pitcher Robbie Findlay is slated to start for the Frogs today. Findlay is 1-0 on the season with a 1.98 ERA. In his most recent appearance, he held the Saint Louis Billikens to only four hits in seven innings.

Houston and TCU are currently riding four-game winning streaks, which are both season highs.

Brown said he is confident that the Frogs can come away with some wins this weekend.

“If we play well, we can play with anybody in the country,” Brown said. “If we play well, we can win all three this weekend.”

TCU is tied with Southern Mississippi for first place atop the C-USA standings. A win could push the Frogs to sole possession of first place, barring a Southern Miss win against Tulane this weekend.

The Frogs and Cougars will also play 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Today’s game also marks the dedication of Lupton Stadium.

Evan Erwin