Horned Frogs and Aggies again? It might be destiny (or just the NCAA)

It came as no surprise to TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle to see the Fort Worth Regional paired across the College Station Regional.

“No surprise at all,” he said.

First, it’s how the NCAA does things in baseball — neighbor vs. neighbor to maximize attendance and reduce travel.

Second, it’s probably cosmic destiny.

TCU knocked out the Aggies last year in a dramatic Super Regional series before sellout crowds at Lupton Stadium. It ended with a 16-inning Game 3 won when Garrett Crain’s mad dash to the plate forced a wide throw just shy of 1 o’clock in the morning.

So if TCU wins its four-team regional this weekend and No. 4 national seed A&M does the same, the teams would meet in College Station for a Super Regional this time.

Don’t think A&M wouldn’t be glad to see it.

Don’t think the Horned Frogs don’t know it.

“It’s fun to think about, but we’ve got a lot of business to take care of first,” TCU catcher Evan Skoug said.

The last two years alone can remind TCU that home regionals are not easily won.

In 2014, the Frogs had to win 11- and 22-inning games.

Last year, they had to win two elimination games in one day before playing N.C. State for the championship — and even then, had to rally from an 8-1 deficit in the eighth inning to advance to the victorious Super Regional series against A&M.

This year, winning a regional may mean a trip to College Station against one of the best teams in the country.

“That doesn’t surprise me whatsoever,” Schlossnagle said. “You’re going to have to beat a great team to get to where you want to go. A&M has certainly played great.”

So Horned Frogs and Aggies again?

Let’s see in a week.

“We have a lot of baseball to play between now and then,” Schlossnagle said. “And so do they.”

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 8:39 AM with the headline "Horned Frogs and Aggies again? It might be destiny (or just the NCAA)."