PHOENIX (Interstat) — In a tense, low-hit affair dominated early by starting pitching, the Texas Christian Horned Frogs capitalized on a pivotal seventh-inning rally and survived a frantic ninth-inning threat to edge the Arizona State Sun Devils 5-4 on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The game, part of Big 12 conference play, pivoted dramatically in the top of the seventh inning. With the Horned Frogs clinging to a 1-0 lead provided by catcher Brady Dallimore’s solo home run in the third, they broke through against the Arizona State bullpen. Walks to Chase Gargett and a single by Dallimore set the table. After a pitching change, Karson Strosnider delivered the decisive blow, lacing a two-run double to left-center field off reliever Colin Linder to score both runners and extend the TCU lead to 3-0. That hit proved to be the game-winner.

Until that moment, the contest was a classic pitcher’s duel. TCU’s Mason Brassfield, the game’s top star, was brilliant over six scoreless innings. He allowed no hits, walked two and struck out eight, overpowering the Sun Devils’ lineup. His counterpart, Arizona State’s Cole Carlon, was nearly as dominant, surrendering just one run on two hits while striking out 11 over five innings.

The Sun Devils finally broke through against the TCU bullpen in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch-hitter Sam Myers tripled to drive in a run and later scored on a single, cutting the deficit to 3-2. TCU responded immediately in the top of the eighth, as pinch-hitter Logan Griffin smacked a two-run single to restore a three-run cushion at 5-2.

Arizona State refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the ninth, they loaded the bases and scored a run on an RBI single by Ryan Briggs, making it 5-4 with only one out. The potential tying run was at third base and the winning run at first. TCU reliever Tanner Sagouspe then induced a fly ball to left field from Kien Vu. Griffin made the catch and fired a perfect strike to the plate, where Dallimore applied the tag on Myers attempting to score from third, completing a game-ending double play to seal the victory.

The defensive gem capped a game where TCU managed just five hits but drew seven walks. Arizona State out-hit the Horned Frogs 10-5 but stranded multiple runners and hit into three double plays. PJ Moutzouridis provided Arizona State’s first run with a solo home run in the first inning off Brassfield, the only hit and run the TCU starter allowed.

With the win, Texas Christian improved its season record to 11-6. Arizona State fell to 12-5. The two teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series on Saturday.