FORT WORTH – In the series’ first two games, the Horned Frogs scored six total runs on 13 hits.

On Monday, the offense came alive, tallying 19 hits and scoring 15 runs to defeat Texas 15-7. Head coach Kirk Saarloos said the key was sustaining at-bats.

“Anytime you get 19 hits, that means you’re sustaining something, and I thought there were a lot of really good at-bats,” Saarloos said. “We were able to throw some zeros up and kind of get the lead to where we wanted it to.”

The Horned Frogs struck out four times, an improvement from the seven on Sunday. The Frogs were able to capitalize with runners in scoring position through home runs off the bats of designated hitter Kurtis Byrne and left fielder Logan Maxwell; Maxwell’s was the first of his collegiate career.

“It’s always good to put the ball in play,” Saarloos said. “… If you’re gonna strike out, you better do some damage. You can’t strike out and then not get extra-base hits. … you got to be able to put the baseball in play and make them defend.”

Saarloos said Maxwell has earned more playing time, adding that it’s necessary to play those who are producing results. To Saarloos, the key to Maxwell’s consistency is staying healthy.

“Nice to see [Maxwell] make a bunch of starts in a row,” Saarloos said. “Obviously, at the expense of Luke [Boyers]. But yeah, he had a decent weekend. He swung the bat well. … It’s going to take everybody.”

Shortstop Anthony Silva had three base hits in the cleanup spot of the batting order. Silva leads the Frogs with an impressive .373 batting average, but had been playing near the bottom of the order.

“Silva has been putting together a ton of great at-bats the whole year,” Saarloos said. “So it’s ‘let’s get the guys that are swinging it well more at-bats,'” Saarloos said. 

Byrne, who was moved to the ninth spot in the order, said his focus is on “controlling his at-bats.”

“It doesn’t matter where you’re hitting in the order,” Byrne said. “It’s all about just helping the team win.”

TCU hadn’t been swept at Lupton Baseball Stadium in a Big 12 Conference series since April 28, 2019; they lost to the Baylor Bears. On the cusp of being swept for the second time this season, the Frogs had other plans.

TCU will have to fight to make the NCAA Tournament, but they are focused on “staying in the present moment.”

“The biggest thing for us is just staying with each other,” Byrne said. “Just really taking it day by day and not looking forward.”

Pitching performances

Sam Stoutenborough had a strong start for TCU, allowing zero earned runs and striking out four in 2 1/3 innings of work. Two runs were plated during his tenure, but they were unearned due to a throwing error from Silva.

In addition, there was a controversial call. Saarloos thought Texas right fielder Dylan Campbell should’ve been charged with batters interference, and had a discussion with the officiating crew to clarify the play. Campbell was over the plate when Karson Bowen attempted a throw to second base.

“The rule is that you don’t even have to make contact with the hitter,” Saarloos said. “He just has to impede your ability to throw to second base, and I thought after [Dylan] Campbell struck out, he was all the way across the plate. And Karson [Bowen] didn’t make contact with him.”

Stoutenborough proceeded to allow a two-run home run to right fielder Garrett Guillemette; it was the sole blemish in a quick outing.

“I don’t care how many outs you’re gonna give us, but give us as many as you can,” Saarloos said. “I thought Sam [Stoutenborough] pitched like he could, and I thought his curveball was really good … I thought that was better than the slider. He threw it well.”

Relief pitcher Cohen Feser took over, and had a .057 ERA at the time. In three 1/3 innings pitched, Feser gave up four earned runs and finished the contest with a 2.37 ERA.

As the game continued, River Ridings allowed an earned run while Mason Speaker and Ben Abeldt kept the Horns off the board.

Up next

The Frogs had a massive lead but couldn’t quite stay ahead of the Horns by 10 or more runs to force a run rule. After TCU drove home seven runs in the fourth inning to take a 13-2 lead, Texas responded with two runs in consecutive frames; As a result, the game went nine innings and lasted three hours and 32 minutes.

Due to poor weather conditions delaying the series, the Frogs will play their fourth contest in as many days on Tuesday. After throwing five pitchers against the Horns in the series finale, the Horned Frog bullpen is running thin.

“I don’t know what we have left, to be honest,” Saarloos said. “We have a couple guys that didn’t go this weekend. But in terms of navigating the nine-inning game tomorrow, you know, that’s going to be interesting.”

TCU will face The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Lupton Baseball Stadium.