TCU's Tre Richardson after his third homer of the game against the Razorbacks on Friday. — Michael Morrison (allHOGS Images)

HOW IT HAPPENED: TCU's Tre Richardson Blasts Hogs

Razorbacks fall to loser's bracket of regional in 20-5 loss to Horned Frogs

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Jun 4, 2023 10:27 PM EDT

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — So much for having better weather Sunday. Or better pitching after Saturday's delay that forced Arkansas' game with TCU to Sunday as Tre Richardson blasted three homers, including two grand slams in 20-5 Horned Frogs' win.

The Razorbacks simply started struggling in the first inning and it never improved as TCU just kept pouring it on, showing that they probably should have been hosting an NCAA Regional because they were one of the hottest teams in the country at the end of the season.

There probably wouldn't be a whole lot of debate from the Hogs about that right now. The Hogs will play Santa Clara in the second game this evening after a couple of lightning delays Saturday (but no rain) delayed the end until after 6 p.m. and they started against the Broncos at 8:06 p.m

Hogs-TCU In-Game Updates

There was be no television and the only way to watch was on the ESPN+ or SECN+ live streams.

You can listen online at HitThatLine.com on the radio to ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs or 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

First Inning

Top: Smith gets off to about as bad of a start as it gets, loading the bases on a walk, a single and a pitch grazing a shoestring on a Horned Frogs player, then giving up a grand slam to left field to Tre Richardson and a 4-0 lead. The homer came on the first pitch after pitching coach Matt Hobbs came to the mound to try and settle Smith down early. He walked the next batter and gave up a single, then got the second out on a strikeout. The ninth batter delivered a line-drive single to right field, bringing in a couple of more runs and digging a 6-0 hole. He finally got out of the inning when catcher Parker Rowland threw the runner out trying to take second base.

Bottom: Tavian Josenberger leads off with a homer for the Hogs. Kendall Diggs and Brady Slavens struck out before Caleb Sali's grounder to short ended the inning. TCU 6, Hogs 1

Second Inning

Top: Smith started the second, gave up an immediate single and Dave Van Horn pulled him for Zack Morris, but he came in and gave up an RBI single, scoring another run, then a walk that loaded the bases, which set up Richardson, who hit his second grand slam of the day in the second inning, giving TCU an 11-1 lead. The Hogs finally end it with a couple of fly outs.

Bottom: Hogs go quickly and quietly with nobody getting on base. TCU 11, Hogs 1

Third Inning

Top: Austin Ledbetter comes to the mound and not a whole lot changes. The Horned Frogs get a single, then a hit batter followed by a three-RBI homer from Brayden Taylor for a 14-1 lead. Ledbetter strikes out the last two batters, but not before the Horned Frogs take a 14-1 lead and a lightning strike delays the game.

Bottom: Hogs get a single by Parker Rowland to start, then straight outs to go quietly when the game finally resumed at 4:05 p.m. (CDT). TCU 14, Hogs 1

Fourth Inning

Top: Ledbetter settles things down and retires the Horned Frogs in order, not giving up any hits. It's the first time in the game that's happened.

Bottom: The Hogs get a one-out single from Cali, but nothing else in another quick inning. TCU 14, Hogs 1

Fifth Inning

Top: TCU gets a one-out double from the top of the order, but nothing after that as Ledbetter is the first Hogs' pitcher to find some rhythm.

Bottom: Harold Coll strikes out and Hudson Polk, who replaced him probably looking at what may be a long night, delivers a single. Josenberger delivers his second homer of the game, continuing to emerge as one of the most consistent hitters in the postseason and it knocks a dent in the Horned Frogs' big lead. TCU 14, Hogs 3

Sixth Inning

Top: That little burst of energy didn't last long or knock a big dent because TCU got part of back pretty quickly. Ledbetter gives up a single and Richardson hits his third homer of the game to center field for a 16-3 lead. He managed to get the rest of the Frogs out in order.

Bottom: After a quick couple of outs, Jace Bohrofen delivers a homer to right-center field, but it's just a solo shot and the only damage done. TCU 16, Hogs 4

Seventh Inning

Top: TCU gets a one-out double followed by an RBI single for a 17-4 lead and keeps piling it on the Hogs but Ledbetter, who may be near end of his stretch after going five innings, at least put out most of the fire and now it's just smaller chunks.

Bottom: The Hogs keep getting homers with Coll leading off with a solo homer, but it's way too little too late. TCU 17, Hogs 5

Eighth Inning

Top: TCU manages to load the bases, but Ledbetter finished his sixth inning of work with a strikeout to get the Hogs back to the plate.

Bottom: The Hogs get a single from Ben McLaughlin in the eighth. TCU 17, Hogs 5

Ninth Inning

Top: As if they needed it, TCU added three runs to close out.

Bottom: The Hogs went quietly to end the game, start getting ready for second straight game. TCU 20, Hogs 5