The Horned Frogs finish 3-1 over a four-game home stand that included a win over Dallas Baptist.
TCU baseball followed its win over Dallas Baptist on Tuesday with a pivotal Big 12 Conference series against Kansas State over the weekend. Entering the weekend five games below the .500 mark in conference, TCU turned in a desperately-needed series victory, winning two of the three games against the Wildcats at Lupton Stadium. The Horned Frogs (26-16, 10-14 Big 12) will look to continue gaining ground in the Big 12 this coming weekend, when TCU travels to Waco for a three-game set against Baylor.
He’s up to 6 Ks! Another big strikeout for @RolleTolle49 to strand a pair of runners.#FrogballUSA | #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/U3BARrMZVS
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) April 27, 2024
Friday: TCU 12, Kansas State 0
The Horned Frogs dominated the series opener on Friday evening, scoring the opening run in the bottom of the first inning before stringing together consecutive four-run efforts in both the second and third innings. Kurtis Byrne’s sacrifice fly gave TCU a 1-0 advantage, while a solo shot from Luke Boyers and RBI singles from Logan Maxwell and Kurtis Byrne helped the Horned Frogs take a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Karson Bowen and Logan Maxwell both slapped RBI singles in the bottom of the third inning, where Anthony Silva drew a bases-loaded walk and Byrne added an RBI groundout for TCU.
Clutch @Logan__maxwell and @KurtisByrne #FrogballUSA | #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/8RyjzbIiwV
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) April 27, 2024
The Horned Frogs continued pouring it on during the bottom of the fourth inning, tallying two runs on an RBI single from Ryder Robinson and an RBI double from Peyton Chatagnier. TCU plated its 12th and final run in the bottom of the sixth inning after Silva reached on an error. On the mound, it was business as usual for left-hander Payton Tolle, who shut out the Wildcats over five innings while striking out seven batters. Right-hander Andrew Mosiello recorded the save after closing the game with four shutout frames and six strikeouts.
Casually out here saving runs @_sammyers13 #FrogballUSA | #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/PnWcsM1WAD
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) April 27, 2024
Saturday Game 1: TCU 7, Kansas State 4
The Horned Frogs hosted a doubleheader on Saturday to conclude their series against the Wildcats. TCU fell behind early after Kansas State scored three runs over the first two innings, but the Horned Frogs erased their deficit after a six-run explosion in the bottom of the fourth inning. TCU tied the score at 3-3 on Jack Arthur’s two-run double and took the lead after an RBI single from Peyton Chatagnier. A fielder’s choice grounder and a Kansas State error allowed two more runs to score and put the Horned Frogs ahead 6-3. TCU concluded the six-run frame with an RBI double from Logan Maxwell.
️LUUUUUUUUKE #FrogballUSA | #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/vz2qslMFjH
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) April 27, 2024
Kansas State scratched one run in the top of the fifth inning, but the Horned Frog pitching staff shut the Wildcats down over the last four frames to secure the three-run victory. Much of that work was done by left-hander Ben Abeldt, who spun a masterful four innings of relief while striking out four batters to earn his fourth save of the season. TCU’s defense also stepped up over the final innings, with Luke Boyers and Sam Myers each making big plays in the outfield to keep the Wildcat offense off the scoreboard.
Saturday Game 2: Kansas State 6, TCU 3
TCU went for the sweep during the afternoon, but the Horned Frogs were shut down at the plate for most of the game. Kansas State jumped on TCU starter Caedmon Parker early, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning before adding two runs in both the third and fifth innings against Horned Frog relieves Ben Hampton and Mason Bixby. TCU attempted to rally late in the game, scoring on an RBI triple from Jack Arthur and a sacrifice fly from Ryder Robinson in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sam Myers followed with an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Horned Frogs went scoreless over the final three frames.
Have a day @jackart20
He triples home Luke Boyers to get the Frogs on the board!#FrogballUSA | #VamosRanas pic.twitter.com/9keajbqNYj
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) April 27, 2024
Left-hander Zack Morris did his best to keep the Horned Frogs in the game, throwing three and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief while striking out six batters. Right-hander Hunter Hodges followed with a largely clean ninth inning, striking out three more batters.