TCU Baseball Hosts Kansas Jayhawks For Weekend Series
Last week was difficult for the TCU Horned Frogs. At 12-9, they unanimously dropped from rankings and stand sixth in the Big 12 after a weekend of conference play. Their toughest stretch of season is ahead of them yet and TCU needs to position themselves better to handle that gauntlet. This weekend, they get a chance to do so against the Kansas Jayhawks (8-11, 0-0).
The series begins Friday night at 6:30 p.m. CT from Lupton Stadium. Saturday's first pitch comes at 2:00 p.m. and the series closes up Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Kansas Visits TCU For Three-Game Series
The series means a little something extra for Ryan Vanderhei, who will be facing his former team Friday night. The junior transferred to Fort Worth after two years in Lawrence this offseason, where he posted a 6-6 overall record.
In two of Vanderhei's last three outings, he allowed one and zero runs, sandwiched by a difficult showing against San Diego where he surrendered seven runs in three innings. Whether it be the revenge narrative or knowing his old team's tendencies, Vanderhei looks to have one of his better season performances.
Despite their record, Kansas should not be overlooked. They kept with #22 Missouri on Wednesday, keeping a 3-3 tie into the ninth inning. This will be the first Big 12 play for KU.
TCU looks to rebound from a 2-1 series loss to Oklahoma in their Big 12 opener last weekend. They answered with a pair of weekday wins over Abilene Christian and Northwestern, but there's a lot this team needs to fix to compete in Big 12 play.
Not Quite Clicking
Expectations were sky high for TCU coming into the year. They return some of the most experience and talent nationally, and complemented that talent with some good transfer landings and an extremely talented freshman class. The Frogs opened the season with back-to-back top-10 victories over SEC programs.
But since then, TCU dropped series to Florida State and Oklahoma – fine programs, but games TCU expects to win – and dropped an ugly midweek game against UT Arlington.
Offensively, the bats aren't always there. TCU is seventh in the Big 12 in scoring and batting average (.266). Four of their losses this season came when the offense failed to score four runs. 3-1 and 3-2 losses against Oklahoma and Louisville, respectively, were exceedingly winnable with some more success at the plate.
Perhaps this series against Kansas, who allows the second-most runs in the Big 12, gets the offense clicking. But until then, TCU is not a postseason team.
Player To Watch
Luke Boyers took full advantage of weak pitching matchups this week, notching home runs in each of his last two games. Even better yet, Boyers is a switch hitter. He went yard from each side of the plate, giving him an advantage against most pitching staffs. Boyers' two homers puts him at three on the season after a quiet start to the year.
Kansas' staff may be surrendering runs this year, but they're stingy allowing home runs. Their 12 allowed on the season is tied for the third-least in the Big 12 (albeit in three fewer games).
Batting just .228 in the early season, Boyers makes the most out of his contact, but needs to find more contact. He'll get an opportunity against Kansas, who allows the third-highest batting average in the conference (.258).
Pitching Matchups For TCU Vs. Kansas
As mentioned, Vanderhei (2-2, 4.38 ERA) gets the Friday nod. He faces Kansas' top option, grad student Collin Baumgartner. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound righty has a 2.96 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched on the season; he's walked just six batters. Baumgartner is the Jayhawks' best option on the mound, and the Frogs will see him at the jump.
Kole Kletcher (1-2, 2.81) finds himself back in the Saturday slot. He allowed two runs in five innings of work in last Saturday's 3-1 loss to Oklahoma. Unfortunately, the freshman walked away with a loss, large in part to no run support. He faces Kansas' Sam Ireland. Ireland has pitched the most innings on the Jayhawks (31.0), where he has a 3.48 ERA and has rung up 24 batters.
Cam Brown (1-0, 2.82) closes up shop Sunday. Despite five starts on the mound, Brown has just the one decision, a seven-inning shutout of Rice at the Shriners Classic. He allowed two runs in four innings and averages just over 4.3 innings pitched per appearance.
Kansas has yet to name their Sunday starter.
How To Watch TCU Vs. Kansas
When: Friday, Mar. 24, 6:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Mar. 25, 2:00 p.m. | Sunday, Mar. 26, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Stadium (Fort Worth, TX)
TV/streaming: ESPN+
Radio: KTCU 88.7 FM
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