Houston baseball swept at TCU as Big 12 tournament hopes hang in balance

Houston baseball’s struggles in Big 12 play continued mounting as it suffered its fourth conference sweep at the hands of TCU at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth over April 24-26, further hampering its hopes of making the Big 12 tournament in May.

Senior designated hitter Cade Climie was the Cougars’ bright spot, hitting three home runs over the weekend to put his season total at eight. He’s now recorded at least one homer in his last three games and four over his last six.

Horned Frogs win series opener despite Climie’s two-homer game

Climie had a performance to remember in the series opener on Friday, clubbing solo home runs in the second and sixth innings en route to reaching his 50 multi-hit game of his collegiate career.

However, that became the only light in the tunnel for the Cougars, as the Horned Frogs topped them in the opener 8-3.

After Climie’s first home run, TCU responded in the bottom of the second with a go-ahead three-run home run to deep right field by junior infielder Jack Bell. 

The Horned Frogs extended their lead further in the bottom of the fourth, where freshman infielder Lucas Franco squeezed home a run on a sacrifice bunt and junior utility player Colton Griffin laced an RBI single to right to make it 5-1.

After Climie’s second solo homer, sophomore catcher Nolan Traeger responded with one of his own in the bottom of the sixth, making it 6-2. Graduate infielder Cole Cramer provided late insurance with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to make it 8-2. 

Despite letting up Climie’s two homers, sophomore right-handed pitcher Trever Baumler earned his second win for the Horned Frogs in his 5 ⅔ innings of work. He allowed just one other hit and three walks, while forcing eight flyouts and five groundouts.

Houston attempted a comeback at the top of the ninth that began with an RBI single from senior infielder Antonelli Savattere, but it wasn’t in the cards.

For the Cougars, sophomore right-handed pitcher Kendall Hoffman was handed his fifth loss of the season. In six innings, he gave up six earned runs on eight hits and three walks despite striking out seven batters. 

Brunson clutches up in eighth inning to clinch series for TCU

In a more tightly contested Saturday affair, junior outfielder Chase Brunson came through in the clutch, contributing to three runs in the bottom of the eighth to give TCU the 4-2 win and the series.

Houston held a 2-1 lead through seven innings behind solo home runs from Climie, his third of the series, and sophomore infielder Jackson LaLima. TCU’s early offense came from a solo shot by senior infielder Preston Gamster in the bottom of the third.

Senior right-handed pitcher Paul Schmitz showed poise in his no-decision appearance. In 5 ⅔ innings, he allowed only one earned run on five hits while striking out two batters.

But the Cougars failed to provide run support and distance themselves when the game got tight, going 0-for-14 with runners on base and 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

This allowed the Horned Frogs to capitalize, where Brunson hit the go-ahead two-run double to left center field to make it 3-2. He eventually scored off freshman catcher Brady Dallimore’s insurance RBI double, making it 4-2 as the last scoring effort.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Nate Stern earned his second win for TCU in relief from a hitless inning of work in the top of the eighth.

Senior right-handed pitcher Tanner Sagouspe clinched his third save of the season, allowing only a two-out single from junior outfielder Tre Broussard in the ninth.

For Houston, senior left-handed pitcher Ryne Rodriguez received his first loss of the season, letting up three earned runs on four hits while striking out three batters.

TCU completes the sweep with run-ruled victory, Dallimore’s doubles

To cap off the weekend, TCU completed the whitewash on Sunday, routing the Cougars on Sunday 14-2 in a seven-inning run rule finale. 

The bulk of the Horned Frogs’ production came from Dallimore, who went 3-for-3 with six RBIs from two bases-clearing doubles in the third and fourth innings.

Adding to the damage, Griffin launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first before Bell padded the lead with a two-run shot in the fourth.

Down to their final three outs, the Cougars scored their first two runs in the seventh with the run rule in effect. Although freshman catcher Mikey Vanderheyden scored off a passed ball and sophomore infielder Justin Cherrington contributed a pinch hit sacrifice fly, it was too little, too late for Houston.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Zack James picked up his sixth win to remain undefeated on the mound for TCU. In five shutout innings, he allowed just three hits while forcing nine flyouts.

For Houston, junior right-handed pitcher Richie Roman received his first loss of the season. In 2 ⅔ innings, he allowed five earned runs on four hits while walking three batters.

Now sitting at 18-24 overall, the Cougars are six games under .500 for the first time since March 14, 2023. At 4-17 in Big 12 play, they sit three games out of conference tournament contention with just three series remaining.

They’ll look to avoid falling further on Tuesday, April 28 at 4 p.m. in Nacogdoches, where they’ll take on Stephen F. Austin at Jaycees Field to wrap up their nine-game road trip.