FORT WORTH – TCU brought the tying run to the plate in each of its final two at-bats but couldn’t get the big hit as it dropped the series-opener at Kansas State, 4-2, on Thursday night. Gray Rodgers drove in both of TCU’s runs.
TCU struck first with a two out run in the second. Phillip Sikes walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Gray Rodgers lined a single back up the middle to make it a 1-0 ballgame.
Kansas State rebounded with a two-out run of its own in the bottom of the inning. A one-out hit batter came around to score for a 1-1 game. Back-to-back two out home runs in the fourth gave Kansas State a 3-1 lead.
TCU cut the deficit in half in the fifth. Sikes led off the frame with a base hit and stole second. Rodgers’ second hit of the night made it a 3-2 ballgame. But another rebound run for the Wildcats in the bottom of the inning restored the two-run lead, 4-2.
The Frogs had chances to tie the game with runners on in each of the last two innings, but all three base runners were stranded.
Russell Smith (6-3) took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out six. River Ridings gave up two hits, walked one and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings. Jacob Meador pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Stat of the Game:
10 – TCU fanned double-digit batters in a game for the 22nd time this season.
Notes:
- TCU dropped to 13-5 on the road this season.
- TCU scored first for the 30thtime this season. The Horned Frogs are 26-4 in those games.
- Gray Rodgers tallied his 10thmulti-hit game of the year and the 17thof his career.
- Rodgers collected his ninth multi-RBI game of the season and the 12thof his career.
- Zach Humphreys has reached safely in 22 straight contests.
- Tommy Sacco has reached safely in eight straight games.
- Luke Boyers has reached safely in five straight contests.
Next Up:
With the loss, the Horned Frogs fall to 35-15 on the season and 16-6 in Big 12 play. TCU will look to even the series Friday night at 6. Austin Krob will get the start for the Horned Frogs. The game will be televised on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.