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TCU Horned Frogs Dominate Houston Cougars in Big 12 Quarterfinals

The TCU Horned Frogs celebrate their 7-1 victory in the Big 12 baseball tournament quarterfinals.

News Summary

The TCU Horned Frogs secured a commanding 7-1 victory over the Houston Cougars in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 baseball tournament, advancing to the semifinals. TCU showcased their strength with key contributions from emerging stars and solid pitching, propelling their season record to 38-17. Houston concluded their campaign at 30-25, but their upset win over Kansas State raised hopes. With this win, TCU aims for a championship title as they prepare for their next challenge against Kansas in the semifinals.

Arlington, Texas – The TCU Horned Frogs dominated the Houston Cougars with a convincing 7-1 win in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 baseball tournament on May 22, 2025, at Globe Life Field. With this victory, TCU advances to the semifinals, boosting their season record to 38-17 and showcasing their strength as they aim for a championship title.

Houston, who entered the tournament as the No. 11 seed after an impressive upset win over Kansas State, concluded their season at 30-25 under head coach Todd Whitting in his fifteenth year. The win against Kansas State, with a score of 9-2, had raised hopes for the Cougars, but TCU proved too strong in this matchup. The game had significant implications, as teams fought for survival in a postseason filled with high-stakes competition.

In preparation for this game, TCU earned a first-round bye, finishing the Big 12 regular season as the No. 3 seed with a 19-11 record. Their recent performance has been noteworthy, with the team achieving a record of 23-11 over their last 34 games heading into the tournament. TCU’s offense has particularly shone, leading the conference with 65 home runs, their highest total since 2019. Additionally, their pitching and defensive squads ranked fourth in the Big 12, holding a 4.41 ERA.

The Frogs set the tone early in the game, scoring five runs within the first two innings against Houston. Notable performances included a superb showing by pitcher Tommy LaPour, who struck out six batters and permitted just two hits over six innings. TCU’s offense saw significant contributions from Big 12 Freshman of the Year Sawyer Strosnider, who hit a triple that established a single-season program record. Cole Cramer added depth to the offense by driving in three RBIs, including a critical single that brought two runners home and helped push the lead to 3-0.

Noah Franco also made his mark, hitting a home run for the third consecutive game and contributing two RBIs during the contest. The Cougars could not manage to score until the ninth inning of the game, indicating TCU’s strong defensive performance throughout the matchup.

With this victory, TCU retains a successful postseason record under their head coach Kirk Saarloos, holding a 29-15 standing in Big 12 tournament games. The Horned Frogs now turn their attention to the semifinals, where they will face the No. 2 seed Kansas, set to take place on Friday at 7:30 p.m.. Earlier in the season, TCU achieved a three-game sweep against Kansas in mid-April at Lupton Field, creating a solid foundation for their upcoming challenge.

This match is critical for both TCU’s aspirations of advancing further in the tournament and securing a potential championship title. As they head to the semifinals, the Horned Frogs will look to maintain their momentum and build on their recent successes against Kansas in pursuit of their postseason goals.