TCU Baseball Hosts Cal State Fullerton For Non-League Play

TCU hosts a familiar opponent to Kirk Saarloos this weekend: Cal State Fullerton. Saarloos played for the Titans from 1999-2001 before heading to the MLB. He also was there as a pitching assistant for the 2011-12 season before heading to Fort Worth. CSU Fullerton comes into the weekend ranked 24th, per D1 Baseball, continuing a serious gauntlet down the back half of the year for the Horned Frogs.

The series begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, continues Saturday at 4:00 p.m., and concludes Sunday at noon. (Note: Sunday's pitch time has been changed.) Catch the series on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, on the radio at 88.7 FM KTCU, or in person at Lupton Stadium.

Cal State Fullerton Comes To Cowtown

The Titans come into this game as winners of 11 of their last 13 games dating back nearly a month. On the season, they are 27-13, but faced a gauntlet non-conference slate including #7 Stanford, Michigan, and Texas. Since starting league play, CSU Fullerton is 24-6 with a weeknight victory over fringe-ranked USC.

They got off to a slow offensive start, but excelled on the mound, holding Stanford to just a single run in their season debut and Texas to 4.3 runs per game in their three-game series, which CSU Fullerton won.

But lately, the Titans have been giving the scoreboard a workout. During that 11-of-13 stretch, CSU Fullerton is scoring 7.2 runs per game and hit 10 runs in five of those wins. Overall, they're a disciplined team at the plate, with three of their most prominent hitters – outfielder Carter White, third baseman Zach Lew, and outfielder Moises Guzman – drawing more walks than strikeouts.

The offensive game plan is clear: get on base with a single or a walk, move those runners to second with a single or a walk, then drive them in with well-placed hitting.

Scouting Cal State Fullerton's Pitching Staff

From top to bottom, the Titans roster a terrific pitching staff. Senior ace Fynn Chester leads the way with a perfect 7-0 record in 14 relief appearances and a 2.23 ERA. Chester oftentimes follows opening pitcher Evan Yates (1-0, 3.12 ERA, 10 starts) in a new-age rotation where Yates begins the game, pitches a few scoreless innings then gives way to Chester, who pitches the middle six or so.

Senior Tyler Schultz (5-3, 5.00) goes longer than Yates. He throws strikes – allowing the most hits on the roster (66 in 63 IP) and a higher batting average (.267), but also rings up a lot of batters (59 strikeouts).

Junior Jojo Ingrassia (5-1, 2.73) is also a middle relief pitcher like Chester, who's the final sub-3.00 ERA pitcher of note.

The bottom line: this is a very deep and talented group that embraces a new rotation of pitching. If TCU is to win this series, it likely won't be because they light up the scoreboard.

Note: Pitching matchups are TBA.

Player To Watch

Cole Fontenelle has quickly risen to the top of the TCU offense, hitting the second-highest average (.318) behind Anthony Silva and alongside Karson Bowen. Fontenelle – a McLellan College transfer – is second on the team with 10 home runs and first with 15 doubles. He's reached base safely in 20 of his last 24 games.

Against a stingy pitching staff, Fontenelle will have to find his rhythm and set the Frogs up to score with multi-base hits.

How To Watch TCU Vs. Cal State Fullerton

When: May 5, 6:30 p.m. CT | May 6, 4:00 p.m. | May 7, 12:00 p.m.

Where: Lupton Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)

TV/Streaming: Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Radio: KTCU 88.7 FM

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