Baseball: No. 18 TCU gets back on track, sweeps New Haven in three-game home series

The bats broke out in a big way over the weekend, when No. 18 TCU found its groove during a three-game home sweep of New Haven in nonconference action at Lupton Stadium. The Horned Frogs (6-5) scored 46 runs during the weekend and moved back above the .500 mark for the season. TCU will keep nonconference play rolling with a home game against Abilene Christian on Tuesday and a three-game series against Tulane this weekend.

Friday: No. 18 TCU 14, New Haven 3

Left-hander Mason Brassfield started the series opener for the Horned Frogs, who are still without ace Tommy LaPour due to an elbow issue. Brassfield earned his first win of the season, throwing four innings and striking out five batters while holding New Haven to two earned runs. Kade Durnin entered in relief and fired the final three frames, striking out two and working around three walks to earn his first save of the season.

Chase Brunson belted his first home run of the season and the TCU offense finished with nine hits. Leading 1-0 after one frame, TCU tallied four runs in the second, five runs in the third and three runs in the fourth to surge ahead of New Haven. Nolan Traeger, who ripped an RBI single for the team’s first-inning run, followed with a three-run double in the third inning. Cole Cramer added a three-run double for the Horned Frogs in the fourth.

Saturday: No. 18 TCU 12, New Haven 4

The Horned Frogs tallied at least one run in all eight frames they went to bat on Saturday. Lance Davis tossed 3.1 innings to start the game and Walter Quinn (2-0) picked up the victory in relief, striking out four batters and holding New Haven to one hit over a pair of scoreless frames. Zack James threw the final two frames for the TCU pitching staff, striking out four batters without a walk and limiting the New Haven offense to one run.

Cole Cramer, who slapped a two-run single in the first inning, finished with three RBIs for the second straight game. Sawyer Strosnider drew three walks and Jack Arthur belted a two-run double in the seventh to finish with two RBIs. Rob Liddington, who notched an RBI single in the eighth inning, went 2-for-3 for the TCU offense, which finished with 10 hits and drew 11 walks. Brady Dallimore went 2-for-2 with an RBI single in the third.

Sunday: No. 18 TCU 20, New Haven 1

The Horned Frogs erupted for eight runs in the first inning and 11 runs in the fifth inning to take their series finale on Sunday. TCU totaled 11 hits and capitalized on 13 walks, while Uli Fernsler picked up his first win on the mound. Fernsler fired three frames and struck out two before handing the ball to Trever Baumler, who fanned three over three innings of relief work. Tyler Phenow tossed a scoreless seventh to clinch the victory.

Cole Cramer shined at the top of the order, going 3-for-3 with an RBI single in the fifth inning and scoring four runs. Sawyer Strosnider drew two walks, scored twice and crushed a three-run double in the first inning to finish with three RBIs. Preston Gamster sent a two-run double into center in the fifth to end the win with three RBIs, while Nolan Traeger tacked on two RBIs and Chase Brunson went 2-for-3 with three runs scored.