UNLV baseball can’t erase early deficit vs. TCU

Beating a quality baseball team is difficult. It becomes considerably harder when that team is on a hot streak.

Texas Christian, which had won six straight games entering Friday’s Mountain West Conference opener, struck for three first-inning runs and then rode the strong starting pitching of Stefan Crichton to a 5-2 victory over UNLV at Wilson Stadium.

“They beat us on the small things early on,” Rebels coach Tim Chambers said. “That’s a good ballclub. You can’t spot them an early lead and expect to come back easily.”

Crichton outdueled UNLV senior right-hander Joe Robinson, who scattered eight hits in seven-plus innings while dropping to 2-2.

Crichton (3-0) allowed single runs in the second and seventh innings — the latter on a solo home run to left field by freshman T.J. White.

“Having a 3-0 lead before I even threw a pitch made all the difference,” Crichton said. “It gave me some room to work with and in this ballpark, with the wind blowing out, you can’t make many mistakes.”

TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said the sophomore’s strong effort, as well two scoreless innings in relief by Justin Scharf, was vital for the Horned Frogs (9-6, 1-0 MWC).

“He was outstanding again,” Schlossnagle said of Crichton. “We’re getting just enough hitting. But our pitching has been great during this stretch.”

Wasted in the loss was an outstanding relief effort by UNLV’s Brady Zuniga, who inherited a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the eighth and escaped by allowing only one run.

“Tremendous,” Chambers said. “We’re trying to keep it close at that point, and he did his job.

“Joe had pitched well, too. We just couldn’t get him the offensive support we needed to.”

TCU’s defense turned three double plays and the Rebels (10-8, 0-1 MWC) were unable to get the timely hit.

“It seemed like every time we hit the ball hard, something crazy happened,” Chambers said. “But you make your own breaks and we know we can play with this team. We just have to do a better job of executing.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.