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Woooooooo doggie are we in for a good one this weekend. Starting in just a few hours, the red-hot Cowboys (winners of the last eight in a row) are going to take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Big 12 opener for the Cowboys. This is the second Big 12 series for the Frogs, as they had their opener last weekend against Kansas.
Here are the quick hits for this weekend’s series:
No. 3 TCU (14-5, 2-1 Big 12) vs. No. 16 Oklahoma State (15-6, 0-0 Big 12)
Where: Lupton Stadium; Fort Worth, Texas
When: Friday - 6:30 p.m. | Saturday 7 p.m. | Sunday 1 p.m.
Watch: Saturday & Sunday - ESPN2/ WatchESPN
Listen: Cowboy Radio Network
Live Stats: okstate.statbroadcast.com
The Opponent
TCU is in the top five of all the national polls this week, however, the team stats aren’t great. The Frogs have a .252 team batting average, as well as a 4.01 team ERA. Jared Janczak is the leader of the Frogs from the mound, owning a perfect 5-0 record with a 2.36 ERA and an impressive 38:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 34.1 total innings. He has only surrendered 10 runs all season, so the Cowboy bats will have to be ready to go when they likely face him Friday.
Janczak is the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week after no-hitting Kansas through eight innings before finally surrendering his first hit.
Here’s the likely starters for this weekend.
STARTING ROTATION
FRIDAY: Jared Janczak vs. Tyler Buffett
SATURDAY: Nick Lodolo vs. Jonathan Heasley
SUNDAY: Brian Howard vs. Blake Battenfield
At the plate, Nolan Brown leads the Frogs with his .343 average. The senior has driven in 13 runs on 24 hits this season. Luken Baker is the power of the lineup, smashing four home runs so far this season, while hitting .288 on the season.
The Cowboys
Coming off a Bedlam win, the Cowboys look to continue their recent dominance on the diamond, as well as get off to a great start in conference play.
Guys named Garrett are killing it on the offensive side of the ball, with McCain and Benge seperated by four points in their batting averages, .346 and .342, respectively. Benge has fired up the Gap Band five times this season and drove in 27 runs in 76 plate appearances. Overall, the Cowboys are hitting .292 on the season.
Carson Teel has been killing it lately for the Cowboys, boasting a 4-0 record in his last four appearances. In that time, he has struck out 26 opposing batters, while only walking two lonely guys. After rough games to start the year, the sophomore southpaw seems to be finding his groove on the mound.
Make sure and cheer on the Cowboys as they battle with the TCU Horned Frogs this weekend. Go Pokes!