TCU Baseball: Frogs earn series victory against No. 24 Cal State Fullerton

With Sunday’s victory, the Horned Frogs won their first series since facing Oklahoma State in early April.

No. 24 Cal State Fullerton rolled into Fort Worth for a three-game series on Friday night, where the Titans held the Frogs’ bats hostage. Despite a tremendous pitching performance from Louis Rodriguez, TCU managed to plate only a single run in Friday night’s 2-1 loss. The Frogs bounced back on Saturday with aplomb. Despite giving up a four-run lead, TCU exploded for an eight-run 8th inning, setting themselves up for a 13-4 victory.

On Sunday, Kirk Saarloos sent out his most consistent starter, freshman Kole Klecker. The right-hander is coming off his worst outing of the season when he managed only 2 ⅔ innings against the Texas Longhorns on April 29. The freshman was blistered for six runs on eight hits and a walk. Having given up four home runs to Texas, Klecker entered Sunday, conceding 13 on the season.

Against the Titans, Klecker only managed to toss 37 pitches in two innings before he was taken out. The reason for Klecker’s dismissal is unclear at this time.

Despite Klecker’s early exit, the Frogs turned to Cam Brown–starter turned recent long reliever. Fullerton welcomed Brown, putting him in a bases-loaded jam. Although striking out Caden Connor, the Fullerton first baseman reached as a result of a wild pitch, scoring the day's first run. Brown would escape the inning after striking out the ensuing batter.

Brown had a solid outing–3 ⅓ innings giving up one run (unearned) on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Not to mention, the right-hander notched his 100th career punchout.

The Frogs were held off the board until the 5th inning when Karson Bowen reached with a leadoff single. Austin Davis would ground into a fielder’s choice, reaching first but not before Bowen was out at second. With one out and a runner on, Logan Maxwell slapped a triple to left field. Poor fielding from Fullerton’s Colby Wallace allowed the ball to roll to the wall and score the speedy Davis from first. On the very next pitch, a wild pitch scattered away from the catcher, allowing Maxwell to race to the plate and put the Frogs in front 2-1.

In the bottom of the 6th, Brayden Taylor roped a leadoff double down the right field line. After an Anthony Silva flyout to right, Cole Fontenelle doubled in Taylor to extend the TCU lead to 3-1. With Fontenelle at second, Bowen singled into right, moving the Frogs in front 4-1.

Following a pitching change, Bowen advanced to third after two wild pitches from Peyton Jones. Drawing a walk, Davis reached first and stole second, setting up runners in scoring position. Perhaps the most crucial hit of all was Kurtis Byrne’s two-out single up the middle to score Bowen and Davis.

Ahead 6-1, the TCU bullpen took care of the game. Cohen Feser managed three scoreless innings where he struck out three Titan batters before handing it over to Ben Abeldt to finish the game off.

Brown was awarded with the win that saw the Frogs improve to 27-21 on the season. It was a phenomenal series from a pitching standpoint and a turnaround from Friday night’s game on the offensive side. Despite a massive series victory over a ranked opponent, the Frogs still have lots of work ahead to punch their ticket to the postseason. With no midweek game, TCU is set to host Baylor on Friday in the first game of a three-game series.

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