TCU Baseball Hits Road For Cross-Metro Battle With #19 Dallas Baptist
The losses were coming. Dropping the series against Kansas wasn't what Kirk Saarloos had in mind, but the college baseball season is a long one. After losing two of three in Lawrence, the #12 TCU Horned Frogs (14-2) hit I-20 for their annual rivalry game at the #19 Dallas Baptist Patriots (13-2).
Frog fans know better than almost anyone how dangerous DBU typically is. But this isn't your typical DBU team. The Patriots rank inside D1 Baseball's top 25 and already toppled teams like Alabama, Arizona, and Oklahoma State. This team – as it plays right now – is a tournament team, perhaps a multi-round tournament team. Although this game doesn't count towards the Big 12 standing, it'll be a great barometer to how TCU responds to adversity.
TCU at DBU begins Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. CT. Stream the game on ESPN+, listen to it on 88.7 FM KTCU, or see it for yourself at Horner Ballpark in Dallas.
TCU Visits #19 DBU For Midweek Temperature Check
TCU's offense was put to the test this past weekend against a rotation of very good Kansas starters. This time, the Horned Frogs failed that test, scoring just one run Friday and four runs Saturday. The first concern of the season arose: What happens when TCU faces a strong starter?
While DBU's Tuesday starter isn't likely to carry a big stick like KU's premier arms, its one of the better teams nationally in run prevention. Outside its two losses, only two teams managed to crack six runs – Oklahoma (in an 11-7 loss) and Central Michigan (in a 16-7 loss). From the mound to the field, DBU smothers opposing bats.
Even in a 13-4 Sunday victory, hitting wasn't TCU's forte, as eight of those runs came as insurance in the ninth inning. Peyton Chatagnier went just 1-11 in the series; Kurtis Byrne went 2-13, Anthony Silva 2-10, Chase Brunson 1-9, and Logan Maxwell was 2-7 before notching three hits Sunday.
A 12th-inning victory in Dallas last season snapped a five game losing streak to DBU. Inside that streak, which dated back to 2019, DBU helped eliminate TCU from its own Regional in 2021. Since 2018, TCU is just 3-7 against DBU.
An Elite Group Of Arms
DBU builds its team around a sturdy bullpen. This year, that unit isn't just sturdy, it's elite. Half a dozen relief arms could make an appearance Tuesday, with two different pitchers recording a save so far this season. A starter has yet to be announced officially – as teams have played chicken announcing one, sometimes upwards to an hour before first pitch – and there's a couple possible names we could see.
Fifth-year RHP Nick Wilson (2-0, 5.25 ERA) started Tuesday games against the Oklahoma schools, picking up a win in each game. However, he also notched two saves, including more recently against Arizona. Against Baylor in DBU's last Tuesday game, freshman righty Luke Pettitte (1-0, 3.18) gave two opening innings followed by five other arms.
One familiar name to TCU fans likely to make an appearance: River Ridings. The former Horned Frog transferred to DBU this offseason and has turned in eight innings for the Patriots (1-1 record, 6.75 ERA).
Digging into DBU's bullpen only brings out more and more talent. TCU is going to have to hit well for nine innings to escape with a victory.
Shaking Things Up
Following a face injury to pitcher Zack Morris, TCU started Braeden Sloan (3-0, 4.26) on Sunday against Kansas. The sophomore gave up four in 2.1 innings before giving way to Zach Cawyer and Ben Abeldt. Sloan rung up 13 in late February against Arizona, immediately garnering attention nationwide.
The pitching rotation isn't the only thing being shaken up lately. Saarloos has pieced together almost a dozen starting lineups, subbing players in and out of the batting order. TCU's depth allows them to do this without missing a beat. Players like Sam Myers and Ryder Robinson jumped in the lineup and delivered when called upon. After a long road trip to Lawrence, expect Tuesday's lineup to feature a number of faces perhaps not seen during the weekend.
While the lineup managed to continue chugging despite a carousel of names, the pitching staff hasn't yet hit a consistent rhythm. Kole Klecker was peppered for five runs Saturday, bringing his season ERA to 5.30. Payton Tolle also gave up some juice at the plate and his season ERA hits at 6.06.
Until starting pitching for TCU tightens up, the Horned Frogs will continue to play in high-octane shootouts. Against the meat of the Big 12 schedule (and this midweek against DBU), that's not a sound winning strategy.
How To Watch TCU Vs. DBU
When: Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. CT
Where: Horner Ballpark (Dallas, TX)
TV/Streaming: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Radio: KTCU 88.7 FM
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