TCU baseball returns to Lupton Stadium seeking a fast rebound against New Mexico State after a frustrating opening Big 12 series in Arizona.
FORT WORTH - TCU baseball is back in Fort Worth, and honestly, the timing couldn’t be better.
After dropping its first Big 12 series of the season at Arizona State, the Horned Frogs get a chance to reset Tuesday afternoon against New Mexico State at Lupton Stadium.
For a team sitting at 11-8 and trying to steady itself before conference play starts squeezing tighter, this feels like more than just another midweek game.
It feels like a get-right opportunity.
The Frogs are 7-1 at home this season, and that matters because this next stretch is built for a response. TCU will play eight of its next nine games at home, which gives Kirk Saarloos’ club a real chance to build momentum again.
Historically, that’s been a good bet in Fort Worth. TCU owns a dominant record at Lupton and has been especially sharp in home midweek games under Saarloos.
The matchup itself offers some intrigue. TCU sends left-hander Uli Fernsler to the mound, and the offense will look to lean on a few familiar names.
Nolan Traeger has been driving in runs at a steady clip, collecting RBI in eight of his last 12 games. Sawyer Strosnider continues to be one of the most reliable table-setters in the lineup, reaching base in 35 straight games dating back to last season while piling up 23 walks, a number tied near the top of the Big 12.
That patience could be a major factor against a New Mexico State staff that has been erratic. The Aggies bring a 7.87 team ERA into Fort Worth and have also been vulnerable on the bases, allowing 32 steals in 44 attempts. TCU, meanwhile, has shown it can manufacture traffic, leading the Big 12 with 132 walks.
New Mexico State does have some bite offensively. Chris Daniels enters hitting .367 with three home runs and 23 RBI, and the Aggies have been aggressive on the bases with 36 steals in 42 tries.
Still, this is a game TCU should control. At home, with a favorable matchup and a chance to shake off a rough weekend, the Horned Frogs need to look sharp again. Not later. Now.