Team effort has TCU headed to the top
Coming off a road victory over a ranked opponent, the Horned Frogs have more than Conference USA play on their mind.

By Ryan Claunch

Fresh off a win over No. 13 Oklahoma, the TCU baseball team looks to continue its current streak of success throughout the rest of the season.

With its recent bout of success, the team’s energy is high and more determined than ever to keep up the pace.

“This past week we played really well,” head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “Tuesday’s win over Oklahoma is definitely a springboard for us as far as the rest of the season goes.”

One thing the Frogs are trying to do is to keep their goals firmly planted and to avoid getting ahead of themselves.

“The College World Series is the big picture, and we don’t need to look too far ahead. We need to keep our focus more on doing well at the regional tournament and getting to the NCAA Tournament,” Schlossnagle said.

Freshman shortstop German Duran believes everything the team has gone through this year only adds to their experience.

“We’ve done pretty well so far,” he said. “We won some tough games and lost some that we shouldn’t have, but we’ve learned from these as the season has gone along.”
Duran believes the continued improvement that comes with each and every game plays a big factor in the team’s success.

The strong bond created through determination and teamwork has really shown through for the team thus far, and it’s helping the Frogs keep their focus in light of the upcoming tournament, said senior pitcher Robbie Findlay.

“I think now the team is coming together,” Findlay said. “At first we were inconsistent, but now things are panning out nicely. When we go out onto the field we now go out there as a team.”

Despite early losses this season, the Frogs have pulled themselves together to rally through the end of their schedule, Schlossnagle said.

“I think we’re three or four games off pace of where we ought to be,” he said. “We got off to a slow start this season, starting with a 1-4 record but I’m pleased with how things have been going, especially this past week. Hopefully we can pick up the pace here at the end.”

This season, every player is doing his part to help, and not letting a single thing go to their head during the final weeks, players said.

“There’s some new guys who are really stepping up this year and making a difference,” Findlay said. “We know what’s at stake.”

As the final weeks of the season bear down, tension and excitement is high.
“I think the team as a whole feels confident and excited about regional tournament,” Duran said. “We’re anxious.”

Important factors such as teamwork and drive have brought together a highly-determined team this season, Findlay said. At each and every practice players are supportive of each other and give it their all, he said.

“Now that the team has really come together, it’s a total team effort every time we play,” Findlay said. “We’re hitting well and the bullpen is strong. I feel this season will turn out well.”

The Frogs will begin a three-game series with St. Louis, with the series’ opening game at 7 p.m. Friday in Lupton Stadium.