TCU got home runs from Noah Franco and Nolan Traeger, but Baylor’s late surge handed the Horned Frogs a 10-4 Big 12 loss in Waco.
TCU baseball looked in control for much of Friday night, but a sharp turn in the middle innings changed everything.
The Horned Frogs grabbed an early lead behind timely offense from Noah Franco and Nolan Traeger, only to watch Baylor take over late and pull away for a 10-4 win in Waco.
READ MORE: TCU, Baylor Meet in Big 12 Baseball Showdown
For TCU, this was a frustrating Big 12 loss because the formula felt familiar early. The Horned Frogs scored first, flashed some power, and got enough from the mound to stay in front through the first half of the game.
But once Baylor found its rhythm offensively, TCU couldn’t match it. The Bears scored in each of their final four trips to the plate and turned a close contest into a comfortable win.
Franco gave the Horned Frogs a jolt when he opened the fourth inning with a solo home run, his third of the season and 14th of his career.
Shortly after, Brady Dallimore tripled and later scored, helping TCU build a 3-1 edge. Traeger added another big swing in the seventh with a leadoff homer, his second of the year, trimming Baylor’s lead to one and briefly giving the visitors hope.
Dallimore also delivered one of his best games of the season, recording a multi-hit night, while Traeger continued his strong stretch at the plate by extending his hitting streak to seven games.
Even with those bright spots, TCU’s offense never fully cashed in when chances were there.
The Horned Frogs finished without a hit with runners in scoring position, a stat that loomed large as the game slipped away.
Starter Trever Baumler was charged with the loss after allowing four runs over 4.0-plus innings while striking out five and issuing no walks.
The TCU pitching staff still reached double-digit strikeouts for the 14th time this season, but command issues later in the game opened the door for Baylor to create separation.
Now 22-15 overall and 8-8 in Big 12 play, TCU heads into Saturday needing a response to keep the series alive.
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