Noah Franco dominated top-ranked Arkansas, delivering three clutch innings and a no-hit save to earn Big 12 Pitcher of the Week.
TCU baseball has its first conference honor of the 2026 season, and it comes courtesy of a clutch performance on the mound.
Sophomore left-hander Noah Franco was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week after locking down a high-pressure save against No. 7 Arkansas during opening weekend.
In a matchup that had early-season statement written all over it, Franco delivered three dominant innings out of the bullpen to secure a 5-4 win over the Razorbacks.
Taking the ball in the seventh inning with TCU clinging to a one-run lead, Franco looked anything but rattled. The southpaw retired nine of the 10 batters he faced and did not allow a hit. He struck out four and shut down the heart of Arkansas’ lineup to earn his first career save.
After issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth, Franco regrouped quickly. From that point forward, he set down the final six hitters in order - including several top-of-the-order threats — to preserve one of the Horned Frogs’ biggest non-conference wins of the young season.
The performance capped off an impressive opening weekend for TCU, which notched two victories over ranked opponents.
Franco’s ability to attack the zone and miss bats proved critical in a tight game against an SEC powerhouse.
While Franco grabbed the spotlight for TCU, Kansas State’s Dee Kennedy took home Big 12 Player of the Week honors after a monster offensive showing. Kennedy hit .538 (7-for-13) with three home runs - including two grand slams - and drove in 13 runs.
Meanwhile, Baylor first baseman Tyce Armstrong was recognized as Newcomer of the Week after blasting three grand slams in a single game, becoming just the second player in NCAA history to accomplish the feat.
Still, for TCU fans, the story is Franco.
Through one week, the Frogs have already demonstrated bullpen depth and late-inning toughness - two ingredients that often define postseason contenders. Franco’s poise against a top-10 opponent signals that head coach Kirk Saarloos has a reliable high-leverage arm he can trust when the stakes rise.
If this opening weekend is any indication, Noah Franco won’t be the last Horned Frog earning weekly honors in 2026 ... but he’s certainly set the tone.