TCU News: “This team is peaking at the right time”

Baseball

NOTES: Chip Hale history agatinst TCU coach extends to when managing Tucson Sidewinders | ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com
Arizona and TCU have some personal connections and history that go back to the playing days of the coaches.

The last time Arizona coach Chip Hale competed directly against TCU coach Kirk Saarloos was in 2004 when Saarloos was pitching in the Pacific Coast League for the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate at New Orleans against Hale's Tucson Sidewinders.

Hale’s daughter Sabrina earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from TCU in 2020. “My daughter went to TCU so I’m a little bit of a TCU fan,” Hale said with a laugh.

Fayetteville Regional Odds & Picks | Action Network
Are the Frogs a value bet to defeat Arizona and ultimately advance to the Super Regional

The TCU pitching numbers are not great after starter Kole Klecker, as a trio of starters have an average ERA of 6.5. Even Klecker has an astronomical FIP compared to his 3.3 ERA.

The Horned Frogs will likely turn to Ben Abeldt to get out of the sticky situations that are sure to come against an Arizona team that finished 10th in slugging. Klecker projects as a -115 favorite over Arizona’s Cam Walty, with a total projected at 13.5.

Big 12 Baseball Regionals: Six Things to Watch | Heartland College Sports
The Big 12 & TCU have some big storylines as the NCAA Tournament gets under way

Arkansas may have been the better team this season, but I am not sure if any team is as hot as TCU right now. Elijah Nunez, Tre Richardson, Brayden Taylor, Karson Bowen, Cole Fontenelle, and Anthony Silva are all hitting the ball well. Plus, their pitching has gotten better towards the end of the season. I can’t wait for this matchup and to me, the winner of this regional has a clear shot to Omaha.

Santa Clara, TCU, Arizona press conferences prior to Fayetteville Regional | Rivals
Thursday was media day for all teams ahead of Regional first pitch

Check out what the head coaches and players from Santa Clara, TCU and Arizona had to say Thursday ahead of the start of the Fayetteville Regional on Friday.

NCAA Baseball: TCU Horned Frogs expert previews the Arizona game, makes a prediction | Arizona Desert Swarm
Our Russ Hodges sat down with our SB Nation colleagues to discuss the Frogs' opening round contest vs. the Arizona Wildcats

This team is peaking at the right time and the Frogs have already gotten a look at Arkansas this season, winning 18-6 at Globe Life Field in February. TCU went from being a fringe tournament team to earning a No. 2 seed in the span of a few weeks and it’s been rightfully deserved.