The Road to Omaha doesn't begin in the spring; coaches already are driving their players toward the College World Series. It's the rise-n-grind that players tweet about; it's the workout pictures that are shared on social media. It's the day-in, day-out work that coaches and players hope will separate their team in June. Before the first pitch in February, NCAA.com is highlighting teams that may reach the Mecca of college baseball: Omaha.
• 2014: 48-18 (17-7 Big 12)
• Head coach: Jim Schlossnagle (12th year)
Horned Frogs' team website
1. What can fans expect from this squad in 2015? A typical TCU team that plays with relentless energy and tries to play the game the right way each day.
2. What is the one thing that this year’s team does best? Pitching is the strength of our club but we look to improve in all areas.
3. If this team had one game to win, which pitcher would get the ball? Preston Morrison.
4. Who are we most likely to see make a SportsCenter Top 10 play on this squad? Cody Jones.
5. What does Omaha mean to this team? Omaha is the “Pearly Gates” of college baseball.
-- Head coach Jim Schlossnagle
| TOP RETURNING HITTERS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAYER | AVG. | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI |
| Garrett Crain | .324 | 56 | 179 | 31 | 58 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| Keaton Jones | .266 | 66 | 241 | 28 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Derek Odell | .265 | 63 | 253 | 34 | 67 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 35 |
| TOP RETURNING PITCHERS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAYER | ERA | W-L | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | K | B/AVG |
| Preston Morrison | 1.32 | 9-4 | 0 | 129.2 | 90 | 19 | 21 | 95 | .197 |
| Tyler Alexander | 2.36 | 10-3 | 0 | 99.0 | 88 | 26 | 11 | 59 | .239 |
| Riley Ferrell | 0.79 | 3-1 | 15 | 45.1 | 20 | 4 | 14 | 70 | .132 |
Who's ready for Friday?!? Get hyped for the 2015 season-opener with this video: http://t.co/qnquI8O4Zs
— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball) February 11, 2015