Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics
FORT WORTH, Texas — Thirteen strikeouts from the TCU pitching staff spearheaded the Horned Frogs to a 12-0 victory in the series opener at Lupton Stadium Friday night.
K-State (25-16, 9-10 Big 12) allowed runs in four of the first five innings, including four in the second and third. The Horned Frogs (25-15, 9-13 Big 12) used 17 hits to score 12 runs to back right-handed starter Payton Tolle.
The Wichita State transfer held the Wildcats to three hits in his five innings to pick up his fifth victory with TCU (5-4). Tolle, a right-hander from Yukon, Okla., finished the game with seven strikeouts and issued four walks.
"Difficult to play from behind versus a premiere arm," said head coach Pete Hughes. "I have confidence in our team and how we'll respond."
K-State starting pitcher Ty Ruhl (1-2) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs, all earned, on four hits in his one inning.
Jacob Frost logged 3 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts. Relievers Cole Wisenbaker and Preston Martinez each turned in a scoreless inning for the Cats.
Four different Wildcats generated a hit led by Kaelen Culpepper, who finished the night 2-for-4 with a walk, while the Frogs issued eight walks to K-State.
THE RUNDOWN
TCU took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame, until the Horned Frogs exploded for four runs in the second led off by a solo shot to right field by Luke Boyers in the second inning.
The Frogs used four hits in the third to tag on four runs to their lead, 9-0.
Tolle took a one-hitter into the fourth inning until Jayden Lobliner punched the first pitch through the left side and advanced to second on a two-out single from Jaden Parsons.
Andrew Mosiello relieved Tolle in the sixth inning and struck out two in his first inning. The righty finished with six strikeouts and scattered two hits to Culpepper and Danniel Rivera.
ON DECK
The Wildcats and Horned Frogs will be back for round two at Lupton Stadium at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale scheduled to follow approximately 45 minutes at the conclusion of Game 1 of the doubleheader.
Saturday's games can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, while radio coverage is available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM).
A free live streaming audio available for all games at KStateSports.com/watch and on the K-State Sports app.