May 30, 2004

(4) TCU 3, (3) Southern Miss 1

HOUSTON - TCU scored a run in the first and added two in the third and that was all the Horned Frogs would need as the No. 4 seed held on for the 3-1 win over third-seeded Southern Miss to claim the tournament title on Sunday (May 30) afternoon in the championship game of the 2004 Conference USA Baseball Tournament, presented by Sterling Bank, at Cougar Field. TCU improves to 38-24 on the year, while USM falls to 44-17.

With the win as the tournament champions, TCU earns an automatic bid to the 2004 NCAA Baseball Tournament, set to get underway next week with the Regionals.

TCU starter Clayton Jerome had a shut out through one out in the eighth when he surrendered a solo run. Jason Lowery led off the inning with a triple, and after getting Nathan Sanders to strike out swinging, Beau Griffin sent Lowery home on a sacrifice fly to right.

Jerome earned the win, allowing the one run on seven hits and fanning five in 7.1 innings of work. He improves his record to 9-5 on the season.

The Horned Frogs first run came in the first. Bo Cogbill drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Austin Adams followed Chad Huffman's strikeout and singled Cogbill home.

J.J. Estrada led off the third with a single to third. Ramon Moses followed with a walk, and a sacrifice bunt by Cogbill moved both runners to second and third. Huffman followed with a single to right center to score TCU's final two runs.

USM starter Cliff Russum suffered the loss for the Golden Eagles and falls to 6-4 on the year. He gave up all three runs on two hits and three walks in just two innings of action.

The 2004 C-USA All-Tournament Team was announced following the game and include (DH) Kevin Roberts, Houston, (C) Brad Willcutt, Southern Miss, (INF) Matt Sheperd, Southern Miss, (INF) Jarrett Hoffpauir, Southern Miss, (INF) Chris Neuman, TCU, (INF) Bo Cogbill, TCU, (OF) Ryan Frith, Southern Miss, (OF) Chad Huffman, TCU, (OF) Austin Adams, TCU, (P) Mike Chasion, Southern Miss, (P) Clayton Jerome, TCU and (P) Ryan Weems, TCU.

TCU's Adams, who belted a tournament-high four runs and knocked in 12, was named Most Outstanding player of the tournament.