No. 22 TCU Opens Amegy College Baseball Showdown with Convincing 10-4 Victory Over Michigan

TCU continued its dominance at Globe Life Field on Friday night, securing a 10-4 victory over Michigan in the Amegy College Baseball Showdown. The Horned Frogs, who have established a strong history at the home of the Texas Rangers, improved their all-time record at the venue to an impressive 18-7. The win also marked their second consecutive season opening with a 5-0 start, reinforcing their status as one of college baseball’s most formidable teams.

A Back-and-Forth Start

The game began with early offensive pressure from TCU. The Frogs put runners on the corners with no outs following a pair of walks, setting up an early scoring opportunity. Though Chase Brunson grounded into a double play, it was enough to plate the game’s first run. Michigan, however, wasted no time responding. In the bottom half of the first, Mitch Voit connected on a two-run home run into the bullpen, giving the Wolverines a 2-1 lead.

Michigan kept the pressure on in the second inning. A leadoff double and a hit-by-pitch set the table for Jonathan Kim, who delivered an RBI single to extend the Wolverines’ lead to 3-1. At this point, TCU was struggling to generate offense beyond drawing walks. While their plate discipline forced Michigan pitchers into trouble, the Frogs had difficulty capitalizing, going hitless in key early situations.

TCU Breaks Through in the Sixth

The tide turned in the sixth inning when Michigan went to its bullpen. TCU seized the opportunity with clutch hitting. With two outs and runners on second and third, sophomore Sam Myers delivered a crucial two-RBI single to left field, tying the game at 3-3. Anthony Silva followed with a single, putting the Frogs in another prime scoring position. This time, Sawyer Strosnider stepped up with a single to right field, driving in two more runs and giving TCU a 5-3 lead.

Meanwhile, TCU starter Caedmon Parker settled in after a rough start. Despite allowing early runs, he managed to limit the damage and escape a sixth-inning jam with runners on the corners. Parker finished with an efficient six-inning outing, allowing eight hits and three earned runs while striking out three without issuing a walk—a testament to his ability to adjust and maintain command under pressure.

Insurance Runs Seal the Victory

TCU continued to add to its lead in the later innings. In the seventh, Brunson crushed an RBI triple to right field, padding the lead to 6-3. Though he attempted to stretch it into an inside-the-park home run, Michigan’s defense executed a perfect relay to cut him down at the plate.

The Wolverines managed to push across a run in the bottom of the seventh, but their efforts to mount a comeback were stifled. TCU reliever Braeden Sloan entered in the seventh and dominated over the final three innings, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out four en route to a three-inning save.

The Frogs put the game out of reach in the ninth inning with a pair of two-run homers. Isaac Cadena and Nolan Traeger both went deep, extending TCU’s lead to 10-4 and securing the victory in emphatic fashion.

A Drastic Improvement at the Plate

One of the most significant takeaways from TCU’s performance was its offensive discipline. After striking out over 50 times in the previous weekend’s games, the Frogs cut that number drastically on Friday, striking out only five times while drawing an impressive 11 walks. To put that into perspective, TCU’s highest walk total in a game last season was nine. Their improved approach at the plate showcased patience and selectiveness, allowing them to capitalize on scoring opportunities effectively.

Looking Ahead

With momentum firmly on their side, TCU will return to Globe Life Field on Saturday for a high-profile showdown against No. 5 Arkansas. The matchup will provide an early test for the Frogs as they face one of the nation’s top-ranked teams. Tommy LaPour will take the mound for TCU, looking to build on the team’s strong start and extend their winning streak.

As the season unfolds, the Frogs appear poised to make a deep run, with a potent offense and a resilient pitching staff forming the backbone of their early success. Their ability to adjust mid-game and capitalize on opponent weaknesses was on full display in their victory over Michigan, setting the stage for what could be another memorable season for TCU baseball.