TCU blew an early seven-run lead and stranded 13 runners as Oklahoma State rallied for an 11-10 win to complete the sweep.
TCU baseball had the game in its hands Sunday. Then it slipped away in the kind of loss that can haunt a postseason resume.
The Horned Frogs jumped out to an 8-1 lead against Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys stormed back for an 11-10 win to finish a weekend sweep. TCU fell to 29-18 overall and 13-11 in Big 12 play, making the final stretch of the regular season feel much more urgent.
The Frogs looked ready to salvage the series after a massive second inning.
Rob Liddington Jr. opened the surge with a two-run homer, Brady Dallimore followed with a solo shot, and Chase Brunson later crushed a two-run blast for his 10th home run of the season.
Jack Arthur added a solo homer in the third, pushing TCU ahead by seven.
But Oklahoma State didn’t disappear.
Starter Zack James couldn’t settle in, allowing six hits, three walks and six runs over 3.2 innings. From there, the Cowboys kept attacking TCU’s bullpen.
Aidan Meola, Kollin Ritchie and Campbell Smithwick all delivered big swings as Oklahoma State erased the deficit and eventually grabbed a 10-9 lead.
TCU still had chances. That may be the most frustrating part.
The Frogs loaded the bases in the fourth and scored just once. They put the tying run on third with nobody out in the eighth and failed to bring him home.
In the ninth, Liddington doubled in a run to make it 11-10, but TCU again stranded the tying run at third.
Thirteen runners left on base told the story.
READ MORE: TCU Adds Big 12 Shot-Blocker Luke Bamgboye
Tanner Saggese gave TCU a late boost with two innings and four strikeouts, but it wasn’t enough to undo the damage.
Now the Frogs return home for a crucial series against Utah, needing wins fast to steady their NCAA Tournament hopes.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community for FREE! Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable App to stay even more connected!