TCU Looks to Keep Momentum Rolling in Road Series in Manhattan

The steaming hot TCU Horned Frogs (18-10; 5-4 Big 12) will take on the Kansas State Wildcats (19-10; 4-5 Big 12) in what promises to be an exciting Big 12 series over Easter weekend. The Wildcats will host TCU for a three-game series, coming off their fifth run-rule victory of the season with a 16–3 win over BYU. TCU, meanwhile, is riding an undefeated week, having swept a series against Texas Tech and picked up a midweek win over Lamar. The Horned Frogs are on a five-game winning streak and show no signs of slowing down. They worked hard this week to prove to the nation that they are not frauds.

The series' first pitch is set for Friday at 6 p.m. CT at Tointon Family Stadium. TCU is on a roll, and a series win here would continue to get them back on track to where they were projected to be. Let's take a look at what this series looks like.

A Deeper Look At The Wildcats

The Wildcats are a powerhouse on offense and will have a very similar play style to the Horned Frogs. Kansas State comes into the series looking to build upon a big-time 16–3 midweek win at BYU after losing the previous series at Utah. Even though the Wildcats have only four wins in their last 10 games, they are not a team to take lightly, as they can score runs at a high rate. Offensively, they have been one of the nation’s best, which means TCU's pitching staff must be ready.

The Wildcats rank eighth nationally in batting average with a .330 team mark. They are led by Dee Kennedy, who is hitting an impressive .442 with 48 RBIs, 14 home runs, and a nation-leading 46 runs scored. The junior is having a monster season. On the mound, Kansas State holds a 5.82 ERA while limiting opponents to a .276 batting average. Their record does not fully reflect their talent, as they boast stronger statistics than many teams in the country. TCU will need to be prepared, as a series win has the potential to be a key victory for either team.

Strosnider and the Frogs Bring Major Power Threat to the Lineup

Sawyer Strosnider against Lamar — The Frogs will need Strosnider and team to deliver again this weekend against the Wildcats | Emma Swinney for KillerFrogs | TCU on SI

The Frogs also bring plenty of power and hitting to the table, and it has been improving week by week. It is led by sophomore star Sawyer Strosnider, who has been on fire. The Horned Frog outfielder has homered six times in the last nine games and has 23 RBIs over that span alone. Strosnider currently ranks 14th nationally with 41 RBIs. He was slated to be TCU's biggest offensive weapon this year, and he has not disappointed.

Noah Franco is another player who has been on a power surge recently after returning from injury. Franco homered in back-to-back games in his return to the lineup this past weekend. He is finding his rhythm and will only continue to improve. Last but not least, Jack Bell cannot be left off this list, as he may be the Horned Frogs’ hottest hitter at the moment. He has four multi-hit games in the last five games and is hitting .579 during TCU's five-game win streak. He has been a tough out and has helped fuel TCU's recent success.

This team's stats do not paint the full picture, as they struggled early in the season. However, the Frogs are heating up, and their numbers are rising. TCU hit 10 home runs over the past weekend, bringing its total to 33. They have also been very patient at the plate, drawing 189 walks on the season, the most in the Big 12 and fifth most nationally. This offense is looking stronger with each game; their confidence is growing, and they are poised for another big weekend.

Wildcat Heat: Their Friday Night Pitcher

The Wildcats have also been solid on the mound. Their pitching staff holds a 5.82 ERA and is limiting opponents to a .276 batting average, which is strong, especially in the Big 12. Their success starts each series with ace James Guyette, who has been reliable. He owns a 4–1 record with a 5.35 ERA and leads the staff with 47 strikeouts, ranking fifth in the Big 12.

TCU’s success this weekend could be determined by how quickly and if the Frogs can get to Guyette early. However, this will not be an easy Friday night task, as he typically pitches at least five innings in each start. Starting pitching is an area where Kansas State will have an edge, as the Horned Frogs have had their share of ups and downs in this category.

Weekend Rotations:

Friday: Mason Brassfield (7.57) vs James Guyette (5.35)

Saturday: Lance Davis (6.99) vs Lincoln Sheffield (4.75)

Sunday: TBD For Both Teams

Bullpen Battle

Bullpen against Lamar — Emma Swinney for KillerFrogs/TCU on SI

This series will no doubt come down to a bullpen battle, as both teams feature very solid relief pitching. The Horned Frogs have relied heavily on their relievers this season, as their starters have been extremely inconsistent and have fluctuated in how many innings they can pitch. However, TCU’s bullpen has stepped up in a big way, keeping the team in games and showing impressive performance lately. While the edge goes to TCU in this critical category, the margin is slim; both teams have relievers capable of changing the outcome of the series.

Why this series matters

For TCU, it looks like they may have finally turned the corner this season, showing steady improvement. A series win would be huge for continuing to build confidence and improving their standing in the Big 12. For Kansas State, series wins have been hard to come by, so defeating a scorching-hot TCU squad would provide a major boost and help shift momentum heading deeper into the season. In the end, this series could be a key matchup that shapes both teams’ resumes moving forward.

Series Notables

TCU and Kansas State will meet for the 51st time in series history, with the Horned Frogs holding a 35–15 overall advantage. TCU is 23–10 against Kansas State as Big 12 opponents and has won seven of the 11 series since joining the conference in 2013, including three straight. However, the Frogs have struggled in Manhattan in recent years, winning just two of six series and holding a 9–9 record in the city. Expect a high-energy matchup with lots of scoring and power.

Tune in to ESPN+ to cheer on the Horned Frogs this weekend.