FRESNO, Calif. (May 5) -- Fresno State rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to defeat TCU, 7-6, Friday at Beiden Field. The Frogs drop to 20-30 overall, 11-14 in Western Athletic Conference play. Fresno State, ranked 22nd by USA Today, improves to 36-15 overall, 16-10 in the WAC.

TCU took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the eighth. Mike Bowlin homered off of starter Shawn Thompson, bringing Fresno State to within one run. Reliever Stan Newton then allowed a single to Josh LaBandeira, who stole second and went to third on catcher Brad Rogers throwing error. After Newton struck out Ben Fritz, Tony Guzman walked. Tom Creighton hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring LaBandeira. Pinch hitter Max Drake tripled to center field, scoring Guzman.

TCU threatened in the ninth against closer Hans Smith. Levi Groomer reached on a hit batsmen, went to second on Erick Macha's sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a groundout. The game ended on a controversial call at first, when Tom Bates appeared to beat out a grounder to the first baseman. First base umpire Phil Benson ruled that Bates was out on the play, ending the game.

For the second consecutive game, the Frogs jumped out to an early first inning lead. With one out, Macha singled and Hamilton walked. Bates then doubled home Macha, and Hamilton scored on Brad Rogers' sacrifice fly. Macha led the Frogs with two hits and two runs scored.

Fresno State scored single runs in the first, fourth, fifth and sixth innings off of Thompson. The senior pitcher allowed 10 hits, five runs, four earned in 7.0 innings. Newton suffered the loss. He allowed two runs in 0.1 innings.

The series will conclude on Saturday, May 6. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. central time.