TCU Baseball Rolls Into Big 12 Tournament With Momentum and a Much-Needed Bye
The regular season’s wrapped, the seeding’s locked in, and now it’s officially go time for college baseball. The Big 12 Tournament kicks off Wednesday at Globe Life Field, and there’s a buzz in the air, especially around TCU.
After finishing strong with back-to-back series wins over Cincinnati and Utah, the Horned Frogs (37-17) are heading into the postseason with a healthy dose of confidence and one crucial advantage: a first-round bye.
That might not sound like much on paper, but ask anyone in the dugout, and they’ll tell you—getting to skip a Wednesday game is huge this time of year.
“It’s a big thing that can help you get that Big 12 championship,” said outfielder Chase Brunson during Tuesday’s media availability. “Just having that extra day off to get the body rested up, that’s huge. We’re all excited about it. So we’ll watch the games tomorrow and see who we play.”
That extra bit of rest? Yeah, it could be the difference between making a deep run and flaming out early.
Locked in, But Loose
On Tuesday, TCU held an open practice at Globe Life Field, and the vibe was… chill. Not lazy, but loose. The Frogs weren’t sweating it—they were warming up, going through drills, having fun, and just kind of soaking it all in.
It’s the kind of energy you want to see heading into a high-stakes tournament. Not tight. Not jittery. Just focused and ready.
“The series wins were huge,” said outfielder Sawyer Strosnider, who’s become one of the quiet emotional anchors of this squad. “A win always gives you confidence. Especially those gritty wins, because that’s how it’s going to be in the postseason. We know how it’s done.”
TCU’s late-season bounce-back came just in time, too. April was rough. Like, three losses in four games kind of rough. But rather than spiral, they got to work, found their rhythm again, and now they’re riding into the postseason with momentum—and maybe something to prove.
The Road Ahead
The Horned Frogs won’t know who they’re facing until Wednesday plays out, but they’ll take on either No. 6 Kansas State or No. 11 Houston in Thursday’s quarterfinal game at 7:30 p.m. The extra time to scout—and, more importantly, rest—isn’t being taken for granted.
What’s clear is that TCU is dialed in on themselves, not the bracket.
Head coach Kirk Saarloos and his staff have kept the focus on building from within. It’s not about looking ahead to the next game or stressing over matchups. It’s about controlling what they can and trusting that their style of ball—scrappy, fast, relentless—is going to hold up under pressure.
That’s been a big part of TCU’s culture for years now: grind through it, no matter what the moment is.
Not Just Here to Show Up
Let’s be real: a 37-17 record doesn’t happen by accident. And in a league as tough and unpredictable as the Big 12, every win is earned.
The Frogs aren’t just here to compete. They’re here to win. They’ve got postseason experience, a toughened-up roster, and the kind of depth that makes a difference when you’re playing back-to-back-to-back days in tournament ball.
And sure, the Frogs aren’t the No. 1 seed this time. But in this year’s Big 12? Seeding is almost a suggestion. The top five teams were separated by just two games at the end of the regular season. Literally anyone can beat anyone, and TCU knows that.
But they also know something else: they belong here, and they’ve got a shot at leaving with a trophy.
Eyes on Thursday
For now, though, it’s all about Thursday night. Whoever it ends up being—Kansas State or Houston—the Frogs will be ready.
They’ve got their swagger back, their energy’s right, and the vibes feel like those of a team that isn’t finished yet.
“We’ve been through a lot together this season,” Strosnider said. “Now we’re just going out there to do what we love and hopefully bring home some hardware.”
Let’s see if TCU’s late push can carry them all the way.
