The Horned Frogs swipe seven bags and pound New Haven as Nolan Traeger and Chase Brunson fuel statement home win.
No. 18 TCU baseball looked every bit like a ranked team Friday night at Lupton Stadium, overwhelming New Haven 14-3 in a seven-inning run-rule victory that mixed power, speed and timely hitting.
The Horned Frogs (4-5) scored in five of their six trips to the plate and delivered one of their most complete performances of the young season.
If you’re tracking Big 12 contenders early in the college baseball season, TCU made sure to re-enter the conversation in emphatic fashion.
Nolan Traeger and Chase Brunson led the charge. Traeger delivered a bases-clearing double during a four-run second inning and finished with another multi-hit effort, while Brunson blasted a two-run homer to left as part of a five-run third that blew the game wide open.
The duo combined for seven RBI, providing the thunder behind TCU’s offensive avalanche.
But it wasn’t just about extra-base hits. TCU ran wild. The
Frogs stole seven bases - matching their total from the first eight games combined - applying constant pressure on the New Haven defense.
Sawyer Strosnider sparked the tone early, reaching base yet again to extend his on-base streak to 25 straight games dating back to last season.
Cole Cramer added a bases-loaded double in the fourth to push the margin further out of reach, and Rob Liddington chipped in two sacrifice flies.
Nine of TCU’s 14 runs came with two outs, underscoring the lineup’s ability to capitalize in pressure spots.
On the mound, Mason Brassfield picked up his first win of the year, working four steady innings with five strikeouts. Kade Durnin closed it out over the final three frames to record his first career save.
TCU also flashed leather, turning three double plays - a season high - to snuff out potential rallies.
Now the focus shifts to Saturday’s rematch at 2 p.m., where Lance Davis will take the ball as the Horned Frogs look to build momentum at home.
If Friday’s blend of power and aggression is any indication, Lupton Stadium could see more fireworks before the weekend is through.