Big 12 Insider: TCU baseball is league’s hottest team going into series at Texas Tech
TCU baseball is the hottest team in the Big 12.
The Horned Frogs have won 10 straight, including three-game sweeps over Baylor and Oklahoma. It’s the longest winning streak the Frogs have had since winning 14 straight in 2017 and their best start in league play (6-0) since joining the Big 12 in 2013.
But this weekend will be a true measuring stick.
TCU (21-7) and Texas Tech (20-6) are set for a three-game series between top 10 teams in Lubbock. TCU checked in at No. 10 in D1Baseball.com’s latest top 25 poll, while Texas Tech is No. 8.
“There’s no question that Tech is the team to beat in our conference,” TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “They’ve been the most consistent program the last several years. They had a rough weekend [losing two of three against Kansas State] and no midweek game, so I’m sure they’re champing at the bit to get back home.
“I know they’ll have a big crowd. It’ll be a great college baseball atmosphere.”
TCU has received terrific weekend pitching during its winning streak, something that must continue. Left-handers Russell Smith and Austin Krob are pitching as well as anyone in the league, and Johnny Ray is starting to find his rhythm.
Smith threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings in leading TCU to a victory over Baylor on March 26, and then allowed three runs with eight strikeouts over seven innings against OU last Friday.
Krob has gone seven innings in his last two Saturday starts vs. Baylor and Oklahoma, allowing just one run on four hits with 19 strikeouts combined. Krob was named the conference’s pitcher of the week for his performance against OU as he allowed one run on three hits with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.
Ray, meanwhile, lasted just four innings in his last Sunday start at OU but Chuck King has been a nice option out of the bullpen. King threw four scoreless innings of relief to help the Frogs sweep that series.
“Russell and Austin have been great, given us a lot of length,” Schlossnagle said. “Johnny was OK, but Chuck’s best role is when he can come out of the bullpen like that. But we really have to find two or three more pitchers out of the bullpen to be more consistent.”
Offensively, TCU has found its stride by outscoring opponents 95-37 during the winning streak. The closest game was a 3-1 victory to open the Baylor series. The Frogs have scored double-digit runs in six of the 10 games.
Freshman Brayden Taylor has homered in four straight games, earning newcomer of the week honors by the Big 12 this week. Senior Hunter Wolfe is batting .455 during the winning streak, while fellow senior Gene Wood has driven in 18 runs.
As Schlossnagle said, “We’ve played really good team offense.”
Eyes on Neuse
Texas Tech shortstop Dylan Neuse was picked as the Big 12’s preseason player of the year. The Keller Fossil Ridge product is having a solid season, batting .284 with seven doubles, 16 RBIs and 29 runs scored.
TCU is well aware of Neuse’s presence.
“Neuse is a great player, a really gritty athletic player who is a spark plug,” Schlossnagle said. “He’ll be a force to be dealt with but really their whole lineup is pretty strong.”
Briefly
▪ The league announced its All-Big 12 volleyball team this week. Among those honored on the first-team included Southlake Carroll product Asjia O’Neal, a sophomore middle blocker at Texas.
▪ The Big 12 announced the three-game softball series between Oklahoma and Baylor scheduled Friday-Sunday in Waco has been postponed due to the league’s “interruption guidelines” over a COVID-19 outbreak.
This story was originally published April 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
