Big winner of the week
TCU (20-7, 6-0)
After another sweep, the Frogs are off to their best start in Big 12 play since the program joined the league. The perfect week started in Arlington where six different pitchers allowed for a combined two earned runs.
Two insurance runs against UT-Arlington in the top of the 8th proved to be crucial to give TCU the edge even after UTA plated a run in the bottom half of the inning. TCU took home its first win of the week in the one-game series.
TCU carried a six-game winning streak into its series in Norman. The Frogs scored multiple runs in four innings Thursday, and a 7-0 start was enough to help fight off a late offensive outburst from Oklahoma. TCU poured it on the Sooners on Friday, scoring eight in the first two innings and 17 altogether. Every starter recorded a hit, and, for safe measure, Austin Krob gave up just one run in seven innings. After going down 3-0 Saturday, the Frogs used two big innings to mount a comeback. A three-run 4th tied the game until TCU put up four in the 7th. The four runs came off a combined three home runs. TCU has now won nine straight. A big-time showdown is on deck for the No. 10 Horned Frogs as they travel to face No. 8 Texas Tech.
Standout player: Gene Wood (7-16, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 6 runs) during the week.
Results:
W 5-3 at UT-Arlington
W 11-7 at Oklahoma
W 17-6 at Oklahoma
W 7-3 at Oklahoma
More positives
Dallas Baptist (18-7, 4-0)
The Patriots are off to a perfect start in Missouri Valley Conference play after recording their first unscathed weekend since Week 1. Kyle Rich and Rhett Kouba combined to give up just one run and five hits for a combined complete game in the opener Thursday against Valparaiso. Friday’s doubleheader started off in a loud way for Dallas Baptist as they would tack on six runs in the first inning. Valparaiso’s starter, Colin Fields, did not make it out of the first. Even though the Patriots won the game, Valpo outscored them 3-2 for the rest of the contest and rode that momentum into Game 2 of the doubleheader where they would take a 5-2 lead. However, each time the Crusaders would take the lead, Dallas Baptist had an answer. The game featured three different ties until the Patriots were finally able to break through in the 8th. Jackson Glenn scored Christian Boulware with a 2-out, RBI single in the 8th to give DBU the 9-8 advantage. The finale was a lot less dramatic. The Patriots used a scoreless eight innings to start the game and pulled away with the 5-2 decision.
Standout player: Andrew Benefield (8-12, HR, 5 RBIs, 5 runs, BB) over the four-game series.
Results:
W 6-1 vs. Valparaiso
W 8-4 vs. Valparaiso
W 9-8 vs. Valparaiso
W 5-2 vs. Valparaiso
Baylor (18-10, 1-5)
The Bears got a much-needed break from conference play, and got back to their winning ways. After a 4-2 win over a tough Texas State team that knocked off TCU earlier this season, the attention turned to a four-game series against North Carolina A&T. The Bears’ pitching staff was the highlight of the week. Neither Tyler Thomas nor Blake Helton allowed a run in the first two games of the series. It was the first time since 2017 the Bears had back-to-back contests with complete-game shutouts. The Aggies finally got a run on the board in the top of the first in Game 3, but were once again shut out for the rest of the contest. The small setback did not phase Baylor, who scored two runs in each of the first three innings. Jimmy Winston went six scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Hayden Kettler finished off the weekend by going seven innings and allowing just one earned run in the finale. Baylor will look to carry the momentum back into Big 12 play as West Virginia comes to Waco for a three-game set starting Friday.
Standout player: Tyler Thomas (9.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BBs, 8 Ks) in Thursday’s win.
Results:
W 4-2 vs. Texas State
W 6-0 vs. North Carolina A&T
W 5-0 (7) vs. North Carolina A&T
W 7-1 vs. North Carolina A&T
W 7-3 vs. North Carolina A&T
Texas (20-8, 7-2)
Two solo home runs by Texas A&M in a marquee midweek matchup was all the Aggies needed to secure a win over Texas at home. However, that would be the lone loss of the week for the Longhorns. Thursday’s storyline was of missed opportunities for both Texas and Kansas as the two combined for 22 hits and 14 left on base, but just seven runs. Texas was finally able to capitalize late with an insurance run in the 8th and two more in the 9th in the win. Ivan Melendez recorded four hits to set the pace for the offense in Game 2 as Texas took the series against the Jayhawks as Tristan Stevens and Cole Quintanilla combined to keep Kansas off the board. Kolby Kubichek was the one getting the quality start in the finale, giving up one run in six innings. Three Longhorns homered in the 11-2 win. Texas will look for some help from Texas Tech next weekend against TCU, who currently holds the top spot over Texas in the Big 12 standings.
Standout player: Ty Madden (8.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, BB, 5 Ks) in the series opener.
Results:
L 2-0 at Texas A&M
W 5-2 at Kansas
W 7-0 at Kansas
W 11-2 at Kansas
Rough week
Texas A&M (19-11, 3-6)
The Aggies’ week was highlighted by a 2-0 midweek victory over in-state rival Texas. Logan Britt and Mikey Hoehner provided the lone offense with a solo homer each. The momentum carried over into the series opener against Missouri. By the time the 6th inning was over, the Aggies were in possession of a 16-0 lead, which included nine in the 6th. A&M finished with more runs than hits in the game, thanks to the benefit of drawing 12 walks. On Friday, it was A&M’s offense who was stifled. Will Frizzell’s two-run home run in the 3rd gave the Aggies an early lead, but was also the lone source of offense for the evening. The Aggies and Tigers went back-and-forth for the first six innings in the rubber match, but a three-run home run in the bottom of the 6th broke the game open in favor of Missouri. A&M did not score after the 4th inning in the loss. The Aggies will return home this weekend, where they are 15-5 on the season, to host Alabama.
Standout player: Dustin Saenz (7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 BBs, 10 Ks) in the series opening-win over Missouri.
Results:
W 2-0 vs. No. 5 Texas
W 16-2 at Missouri
L 8-2 at Missouri
L 7-3 at Missouri
Texas Tech (20-6, 3-3)
TCU, Texas, and Oklahoma State all got a boost in the conference battle with Kansas State stealing a series win from Texas Tech this week. The Red Raiders ran out of runs after a 17-1 routing of the Wildcats in Thursday’s opener. Jace Jung was making a living hitting balls outside the park, recording his first career three-homer day. Altogether, Tech homered six times in the win. Things were looking up for Tech after the victory over Kansas State and Big 12 preseason pitcher of the year Jordan Wicks. However, an uncharacteristic start by Patrick Monteverde on Friday gave the Wildcats new life in the series. The six runs given up through three innings was the first time this year Monteverde allowed more than two runs in a start. Tech had multiple opportunities to tighten a 6-2 gap in the middle innings but was unable to plate runs, leaving nine on base in the contest. The finale got started in a similar way, but this time it was Mason Montgomery who struggled. The sophomore got bounced in the 1st inning after giving up three runs, and the Wildcats would hold a wire-to-wire victory. The silver lining for Tech was slugger Dru Baker made an appearance as a pinch hitter in the 9th inning of the finale. Baker previously suffered an injury in the opener and was pulled early in Game 2 after trying to play through it.
Standout player: Jace Jung (5-13, 3 HRs, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, BB) in the series loss.
Results:
W 17-1 at Kansas State
L 7-2 at Kansas State
L 10-4 at Kansas State
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