247 Sports: TCU Baseball Misses NCAA Tournament

[TopFrog]

TCU Baseball Misses NCAA Tournament​

TCU entered 2026 as a preseason Top 10 team and the favorite to win the Big 12. Now, they'll begin their offseason while 64 other programs begin the Road to Omaha. Selection…​

JAMIE PLUNKETT

TCU entered 2026 as a preseason Top 10 team and the favorite to win the Big 12. Now, they'll begin their offseason while 64 other programs begin the Road to Omaha. Selection Monday has come and gone, and the Horned Frogs were not given an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

The Horned Frogs were listed as one of the first teams left out, marking the second time TCU has missed the tournament in the last three seasons. TCU finished seventh in the Big 12 during the regular season and went 0-1 in Big 12 tournament play, finishing with an overall record of 33-21 (17-13) in the regular season.

Read the rest at https://247sports.com/college/tcu/article/tcu-baseball-misses-ncaa-tournament-286415756/

 

[Frog Attack II]

Something is definitely off with the program and we've gone from an elite program to extremely avg over the KS term. Tough questions need to be asked.

 

[froginmn]

We had one of the very best coaches in the college game. It isn't shocking that we're struggling compared to what we came to expect.

The question is more whether CKS can adapt and turn things around. Personally I feel he deserves a little more time (maybe only one more year) to prove he can do this. He may deserve more, given that the foundation of the game itself has been rocked by NIL and the TP; we need to figure that out regardless of who is coaching.

 

[HornyWartyToad]

My question, not being a complete baseball geek, is whether preseason projections were realistic based on the roster. If expectations were reasonable, then what should they be for next year? KS has had what, 3 years now? You can write off one season like this, but consistently underperforming (if that’s what has happened) isn’t acceptable.
Second question: Are our facilities holding us back? I hate the spending race in college sports, but if we don’t keep up, not sure why an AD or fanbase would be in position to demand top-tier results.

 

[PurpleBlood87]

We had one of the very best coaches in the college game. It isn't shocking that we're struggling compared to what we came to expect.

The question is more whether CKS can adapt and turn things around. Personally I feel he deserves a little more time (maybe only one more year) to prove he can do this. He may deserve more, given that the foundation of the game itself has been rocked by NIL and the TP; we need to figure that out regardless of who is coaching.

In my view, the only way CKS buys another year is to let CBM go and possibly the rest of the staff.

There needs to be a change in the program's offense philosophy. The Frogs can draw all the walks they want but if no one can get a clutch hit or put the ball in play to move a runner to third or get a ball into the air to score a runner from third then the path of losing games remains the same.

 

[tetonfrog]

Honest question: if CKS has two more years on his contract, do we have the money to fire him and his staff, bring in a whole new staff and still have NIL cash for players?

 

[froginmn]

In my view, the only way CKS buys another year is to let CBM go and possibly the rest of the staff.

There needs to be a change in the program's offense philosophy. The Frogs can draw all the walks they want but if no one can get a clutch hit or put the ball in play to move a runner to third or get a ball into the air to score a runner from third then the path of losing games remains the same.

I don't have a big problem with taking some pitches and trying to draw walks.

My suspicion was that this season we had gotten runners on base but hadn't converted. I looked up a few NCAA team stats and was surprised to see that we rank 102nd in OBP (we're 45th in walks). So we're not succeeding in getting on base either. I think we notice the bases loaded fails but it's not because of how many of those we have; it's about how few scoring opportunities we seem to have.

It feels like we have too many guys swinging for the fences rather than making solid contact and playing Frogball (station to station). Offensive HRs is a tough stat because of ballpark differences but we are very low in 2B hits. That seems like an issue for a team with as much offensive ability as we have.

I'm not close enough to be sure how many leaders we had in the dugout but it feels like we may have been lacking there as well.

 

[Frog79]

My question, not being a complete baseball geek, is whether preseason projections were realistic based on the roster. If expectations were reasonable, then what should they be for next year? KS has had what, 3 years now? You can write off one season like this, but consistently underperforming (if that’s what has happened) isn’t acceptable.
Second question: Are our facilities holding us back? I hate the spending race in college sports, but if we don’t keep up, not sure why an AD or fanbase would be in position to demand top-tier results.

We have only had one really good month of baseball since KS has been head coach. That was at the end of 2023 when we had a great Omaha run. The rest of the time we have completely underperformed relative to expectations.

And to answer one of your questions, we absolutely underperformed this year with the talent we had. This should have been a team that would be contending for an Omaha berth and when all was said and done we didn't even make the postseason.

 

[Spike]

I think CKS is one of the most likeable humans to ever wear purple. That said the team isn't getting it done. Really disappointed in the way they looked down the stretch. NOt just the results but they just didn't look good. Getting bombed at OSU, losing 2 of 3 at WVU, and really stinking it up vs KSU to end the season was the final nail in the coffin.

Last years team never showed up for the regional, getting smoked in both games. First time in recent history, if ever that a TCU team and gone 2 n Q in the regionals.

 

[Bizarro Frog]

He had 4 years. We caught fire year one then have not done squat since. Get a coach in here that can work within the current NIL climate. If that is an issue Loos then can his a.. No excuse to have someone around that can’t or won’t do that. It’s not changing back to the way it was.

 

[PurpleBlood87]

I don't have a big problem with taking some pitches and trying to draw walks.

My suspicion was that this season we had gotten runners on base but hadn't converted. I looked up a few NCAA team stats and was surprised to see that we rank 102nd in OBP (we're 45th in walks). So we're not succeeding in getting on base either. I think we notice the bases loaded fails but it's not because of how many of those we have; it's about how few scoring opportunities we seem to have.

It feels like we have too many guys swinging for the fences rather than making solid contact and playing Frogball (station to station). Offensive HRs is a tough stat because of ballpark differences but we are very low in 2B hits. That seems like an issue for a team with as much offensive ability as we have.

I'm not close enough to be sure how many leaders we had in the dugout but it feels like we may have been lacking there as well.

I can't count the amount of times Frog hitter have been at a count of 2-2 or 3-2 and stood there and took strike three then looked at the umpire like that was a ball.
The Frogs just don't protect the plate in those situations.
Wish there was a stat somewhere of TCU's batting average with the bases loaded. Even better a percentage of balls in plays versus strikeouts with the bases loaded.

 

[hometown frog]

From my understanding, KS is actually working the portal and pushing for NIL. So it’s not like we have a staff that just cannot get with the times. We actually have done ok in the portal both in terms of protecting existing players and finding new ones.

So I think it’s more a matter of the type of players you go after and how well they fill holes in the lineup for the season. (I’ve said before I’d love to go get a handful of JUCO dawgs that just won’t die at the plate and let them grind out ABs for us in between the max effort swings )

But even more so, I think it’s the offensive strategy that the players are being asked to play under. (As many others have noted)

 

[ShreveFrog]

Um…

 

[LisaLT]

What an empty season. We proved how ridiculous pre-season rankings/expectations really are.

 

[Paint It Purple]

I think CKS is one of the most likeable humans to ever wear purple. That said the team isn't getting it done. Really disappointed in the way they looked down the stretch. NOt just the results but they just didn't look good. Getting bombed at OSU, losing 2 of 3 at WVU, and really stinking it up vs KSU to end the season was the final nail in the coffin.

Last years team never showed up for the regional, getting smoked in both games. First time in recent history, if ever that a TCU team and gone 2 n Q in the regionals.

They weren't really bombed as you say at OSU or WVU. They couldn't and didn't grit out winnable games. IMO, CKS should be looking for gritty, mentally tough, refuse to lose player types. OSU, ASU, WVA, KS teams are loaded with those types.

5/1/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 6-7
5/2/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 2-9
5/3/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 10-11
5/8/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-0
5/9/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-1
5/10/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 4-3
5/14/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	L 0-2
5/15/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	W 4-0
5/16/2026	at West Virginia			L 4-6

 

[NewFrogFan]

Kansas and WVU coaches, several others, have been around 1/2 the time and are seeing better seasons than TCU. The pitching with exception of Davis, was really bad…….good thing the pitching “coach” is retiring. Then, how many runners left on base this year? Gonna stick to that mantra of not advancing runners? These days, a guy on third probably has a 50% chance of seeing a wild pitch……if he is on 3rd. Never understand why a team with poor batting averages up and down the lineup, is not absolutely perfect in bunting.

 

[NewFrogFan]

They weren't really bombed as you say at OSU or WVU. They couldn't and didn't grit out winnable games. IMO, CKS should be looking for gritty, mentally tough, refuse to lose player types. OSU, ASU, WVA, KS teams are loaded with those types.

5/1/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 6-7
5/2/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 2-9
5/3/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 10-11
5/8/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-0
5/9/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-1
5/10/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 4-3
5/14/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	L 0-2
5/15/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	W 4-0
5/16/2026	at West Virginia			L 4-6

The absolute chokes to Arizona need to be on here.

 

[Spike]

The absolute chokes to Arizona need to be on here.

As long as they didn't get bombed.

 

[PurpleBlood87]

They weren't really bombed as you say at OSU or WVU. They couldn't and didn't grit out winnable games. IMO, CKS should be looking for gritty, mentally tough, refuse to lose player types. OSU, ASU, WVA, KS teams are loaded with those types.

5/1/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 6-7
5/2/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 2-9
5/3/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 10-11
5/8/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-0
5/9/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-1
5/10/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 4-3
5/14/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	L 0-2
5/15/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	W 4-0
5/16/2026	at West Virginia			L 4-6

Blowing a 9-3 lead at OSU on Sunday and having your bullpen give up 7 runs in two innings on Saturday is getting bombed in my opinion.
Don't know why CKS took out Davis and brought in LaPour on Saturday.
Also not walking the guy who ended up hitting his third home run on Friday at Stillwater was a strange move.

 

[Spike]

They weren't really bombed as you say at OSU or WVU. They couldn't and didn't grit out winnable games. IMO, CKS should be looking for gritty, mentally tough, refuse to lose player types. OSU, ASU, WVA, KS teams are loaded with those types.

5/1/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 6-7
5/2/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 2-9
5/3/2026	at Oklahoma State	*	Stillwater, Okla.	L 10-11
5/8/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-0
5/9/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 3-1
5/10/2026	Utah	*	Fort Worth, Texas	W 4-3
5/14/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	L 0-2
5/15/2026	at West Virginia	*	Morgantown, W. Va.	W 4-0
5/16/2026	at West Virginia			L 4-6

Not sure what your definition of bombed is but they got swept in a crucial series down the stretch. They blew leads in all 3 games, a huge lead on Sunday, and got blown out on Saturday. Got blown out again by KState in the most important game of the year. After the last 20 plus years of TCU baseball we have been taught to expect better.