Frogs Win Thriller In Tempe

Friday, March 13

Tempe, Ariz.

8:30 p.m.

TCU

11-6, 1-0

Arizona State

12-5, 0-1

TCU

Arizona State

Frogs Win Thriller In Tempe

3/14/2026 1:07:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

TCU turns four double plays in the game

TEMPE, Ariz. – Colton Griffin gave No. 17 TCU a late lead, then threw out the tying run at home to end the game, securing the Horned Frogs' 5-4 win over Arizona State in its Big 12 opener Friday night. Mason Brassfield turned in his second straight quality start on the mound.

The Rundown
Tied at three in the eighth, Colton Griffin delivered a two-run, two-out single to give the Horned Frogs a 5-3 lead.

With the Frogs clinging to a 5-4 lead and facing runners on the corners with one out, it was once again Griffin who answered the call. On a fly ball to shallow left, the Sun Devil runner took off for home. Griffin's throw to the plate was spot on to Brady Dallimore, who tagged out the tying run to end the game.

The game was a pitcher's dual through six innings. Arizona State took a 1-0 lead in the first on a one-out home run. TCU answered the home run in the third with a rocket off the bat of Dallimore.

It was TCU that finally broke the stalemate in the seventh. With two in scoring position and two outs, the Sun Devils intentionally walked Cole Cramer to load the bases. Sawyer Strosnider made them pay with a two-run single to left for a 3-1 lead. Arizona State answered in the bottom of the inning with a pair of RBI-pinch hits to tie the game at three, setting up the wild finish.

Mason Brassfield went six innings, allowing a run on four hits. He walked two and struck out eight. Nate Stern (2-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing a run on an hit. He walked one and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings. Tanner Sagouspe earned his first save at TCU with a scoreless inning.

Stat of the Game:
4 – TCU turned four double plays in the game, none of the conventional variety. The Frogs executed two strike 'em out, throw 'em out double plays and doubled off two base runners.

Notes:
• TCU allowed a first inning run for just the seventh time this season.
• TCU homered in a game for the 12^th time this season.
• TCU was outhit by its opponent for the ninth time this season.
• TCU played errorless baseball for the fourth time this season.
• TCU stole a base for the 13^th time this season.
• The TCU pitching staff recorded double-digit strikeouts (12) for the ninth time this season.
• Mason Brassfield registered his second career quality start.
• Tanner Sagouspe picked up his first save at TCU and the 17^th of his career.
• Cole Cramer has reached safely in 14 straight games.
• Sawyer Strosnider has reached safely in 33 straight games dating back to last season.
• Strosnider tallied his fourth multi-RBI game of the season and the 17^th of his career.
• Chase Brunson has reached safely in all 17 games and 18 games dating back to last season.
• Nolan Traeger has reached safely in 11 straight games.
• Rob Liddington has reached safely in nine straight games.
• Brady Dallimore hit his second career home run.
• Dallimore recorded his second career multi-hit game.
• Colton Griffin tallied his first multi-RBI game of the season and the ninth of his career.
• Griffin and Brunson registered outfield assists in the game.

Next Up:
With the win, TCU improves to 11-6 on the season and 1-0 in Big 12 play. The Horned Frogs and Sun Devils will meet in Game 2 of the series on Saturday night. Game time is set for 8:30 p.m. (CT). Lance Davis will get the start for the Frogs. The entire series will be televised on ESPN+.