Janczak Duels, Frogs Top Kansas 5-1 to Win Series

As Brian Howard has struggled over the last couple of week, Jared Janczak has established himself as the most reliable arm in TCU’s rotation. Tonight he put on the most impressive pitching display of any Horned Frog this season. Through 7 ¹⁄₃ he was throwing a perfect game, and he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. The win was TCU’s second in a row and puts them at 14-4 on the season.

This team has issues hitting right now, and the Frogs are 2-0 in the Big 12 with a series win over Kansas because their pitching staff has stepped up in a big way this weekend. Nick Lodolo went 5 ²⁄₃ innings last night allowing just one run after getting hammered last weekend by UC Irvine. Janczak’s gem today puts him at 5-0 on the year. He was tied for the most in the country at 4-0 going into the weekend.

The Jayhawk’s pitcher, Taylor Turski, matched Janczak almost blow-for-blow as TCU managed just one hit through the first six innings. He ended up giving up three runs on four hits, walking three and striking out nine. TCU finally got to him when Josh Watson singled to start off the seventh inning for the Frogs, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Nolan Brown followed him with a walk to put two on for the Frogs with no outs in their first real scoring opportunity of the day.

The Frogs finally ended Turski’s day when Barzilli reached on a fielders choice, putting runners on the corners with one out. Ryan Merrill, fresh off a go-ahead homer in last night’s game, sent a flare over the second baseman into center field to bring home Watson and give the Frogs a 1-0 lead. Once TCU got to Kansas’ bullpen, they took control of the game with four more runs scored in the seventh.

Landestoy struck out pinch hitting for Ingraham in the next at bat, but a double steal by Merrill and Barzilli put runners on second and third with two outs. Wade singled to left field to score both runners and then Cam Warner followed that up with a single of his own to keep things going. After both runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, Evan Skoug doubled to deep left field to make it 5-0 Horned Frogs. Skoug and Warner both went 2 for 4 in the game.

Jared Janczak went right back to work in the eighth inning striking out the side, but the second batter he faced hit one deep in the hole to third and Luken Baker couldn’t pick it at first, allowing the first baserunner of the game for the Jayhawks. Janczak struck out 14 on the day for a career high.

In the ninth Janczak let up back-to-back singles to the open the inning, and Schlossnagle went to the bullpen as Janczak trotted off to a standing ovation from the crowd. He was charged with one run as Trey Morris let up a hit before he was able to get the final three outs and secure a 5-1 victory.

TCU will go for the sweep Sunday at 1:00pm CT. Brian Howard will be on the mound looking to get back on track after a rough first inning in his start last weekend. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest+.