ASU’s missed chances cause loss to TCU 3-2 in Big 12 opener

Syndication: Arizona Republic

FORT WORTH – Arizona State baseball begins its Big 12 schedule against a highly-touted TCU team that is on a six-game winning streak. ASU is desperate for a marquee win, after losing to Arizona in its midweek game earlier in the week. Head coach Willie Bloomquist went with his ace junior left-hander Jacobs to neutralize the Horned Frogs offense. Despite some bumps along away, Jacobs gave the Sun Devils a chance with a solid outing.

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However, ASU blew multiple chances throughout Friday’s game that couldn’t get them out of the gates. The Sun Devils failed on the base path and to take advantage of the Horned Frogs mistakes, and it cost them in the 3-2 loss.

ASU Jacobs bends but doesn’t break:

Junior left-hander Ben Jacobs got the nod to start on the mound. Jacobs began with a clean first but quickly got ugly in the next frame. The second inning saw Jacobs allow a double to start and then a two-run homer by freshman infielder Noah Franco that blew open the game early for TCU, 2-0.

Throughout his five starts of the year, Jacobs has struggled to limit opponents powering hitting, allowing six home runs this season. However, Jacobs is stellar at keeping his composure after rocky starts. Friday’s outing was no different, after a stellar home run robbery from redshirt sophomore outfielder Brandon Compton, Jacobs struck out the next two batters to get out of the frame.

E2 | TCU gets on the board first on a two-run shot but B-Comp keeps them from going back-to-back on this snag at the fence.

2-0, Frogs

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— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 14, 2025

Jacobs settled in and controlled the mound and strike zone against a talented TCU offense. In their past five outings, the Horned Frogs offense have averaged 9.7 runs per game. Despite their stellar bats, Jacobs didn’t crumble under pressure, even when the Horned Frogs had multiple baserunners.

The Sun Devil left-hander stranded five TCU baserunners en route to his 5.2 innings start, in which he allowed three runs, seven hits, and five strikeouts.

Blown opportunities hurt Sun Devils’ offense:

The rollercoaster of ASU’s Friday on the base path started with a junior infielder Nu’u Contrades triple in the first inning. After a miscommunication by the Horned Frogs outfield led to dropped ball, Contrades tried to steal a run early by stretching for home. However, TCU recovered and was able to cut off the junior infielder at the plate for a huge missed chance to strike first.

Cadena ➡️ Silva➡️ Bowen = OUT!! pic.twitter.com/thxCL5GDeU

— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) March 14, 2025

The first inning set the tone for ASU’s offense the entire game as it had plenty of opportunities to take advantage of TCU mistakes. The next frame, graduate student Josiah Cromwick reached first and second off a throwing error and a wild pitch. Regardless, the Sun Devils weren’t able to bring Cromwick home and left empty handed.

ASU had a golden bases loaded opportunity in the third with one out. The club was able to score two runs off the scenario, as a Compton ground out allowed a run to score and then another Horned Frogs throwing error gifted the Sun Devils another run, tying the game 2-2.

Senior infielder Jacob Tobias had a chance to steal the lead for ASU, but fouled out on the second pitch and stranding a runner in scoring position.

The Sun Devils had a similar situation in the sixth inning, starting the frame with back-to-back singles. But just like before, junior left-hander Braeden Sloan recorded three straight outs to strand the two runners. That failed attempt took the life out of ASU, as it had 12 out of the 13 batters retired in the 3-2 loss to TCU.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports