Kansas Advances to Big 12 Baseball Semifinals with Thrilling Win Over TCU
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Seventh-seeded Kansas (31-22) eliminated ninth-seeded TCU (33-21) with an 11-10 victory in the opening game on the fourth day of the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at Globe Life Field.
The Jayhawks advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2012 after a thrilling back-and-forth battle against the Horned Frogs. Kansas secured their spot in the semifinals with an eighth-inning go-ahead home run to left center by Jake English, marking his 14th homer of the season.
Kansas started strong in the first inning with a two-RBI single to left field from Jake English. Building on the momentum, Chase Diggins hit a two-RBI single to center field, followed by John Nett’s two-RBI single to left center. Kodey Shojinaga then doubled down the left field line, driving in three more runs and ending the inning with a 9-0 lead.
TCU’s Jack Basseer homered to left field in the second inning to get the Horned Frogs on the scoreboard. Karson Bowen further closed the gap with a two-run home run down the left field line, making it a 9-3 game.
The Horned Frogs continued their comeback with a three-run homer to left center by Kurtis Byrne in the third inning, narrowing the score to 9-6.
Kansas responded when Shojinaga hit into a double play that allowed Nett to score in the third inning, extending the Jayhawks’ lead to 10-6.
TCU added another run in the fifth inning with Byrne’s second home run, bringing his total to four RBIs for the game and closing the score to 10-7.
After a scoreless sixth inning, TCU surged. Chase Brunson hit into a double play that allowed Sam Myers to score, and Luke Boyers followed with a two-run homer to right field, tying the game at 10.
For Kansas, freshman Dominic Voegele pitched the first five innings, allowing seven hits, seven runs, and striking out six. Freshman Cooper Moore pitched one inning, striking out one. Junior Tegan Cain pitched one inning, giving up three hits and striking out one. Redshirt senior Hunter Cranton pitched two innings, allowing two hits and striking out two.
For TCU, sophomore Braeden Sloan pitched 0.2 innings, giving up two hits, one run, and striking out one.
Kansas will face No. 1 seed Oklahoma on Friday, May 24, at 12:30 p.m. CT on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. The winner will advance to the Championship final on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
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