Today · 1:00 AM UTC

Oklahoma St vs Arkansas

  Today · 1:00 AM UTC

Stanford vs Arizona

  Feb 13, 9:00 PM UTC

TAMIU vs UT Tyler - DH

  Feb 13, 10:30 PM UTC

St. Edward's vs Cameron

  Today · 12:00 AM UTC

UT Dallas vs St. Mary's (TX)

  Feb 13, 8:00 PM UTC

AUM vs Trevecca Nazarene - DH

  Today · 12:00 AM UTC

LeTourneau vs Austin College

  Feb 13, 10:00 PM UTC

McMurry vs Texas Lutheran - DH

  Feb 13, 10:00 PM UTC

Western Oregon vs Chico State - DH

  Today · 12:00 AM UTC

UT Dallas vs Concordia (TX)

  Feb 13, 8:45 PM UTC

Simpson vs Stanislaus St. - DH

2026 TCU vs Vanderbilt

TCU Defeats Vanderbilt 5-4 At 2026 Shriners Children's College Showdown

TCU Defeats Vanderbilt 5-4 At 2026 Shriners Children's College Showdown

An eighth-inning rally helped TCU defeat Vanderbilt 5-4 on the opening day of the 2026 Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Texas.

Feb 14, 2026 by Matt Cannizzaro
null

The season-opening contest between Texas Christian University and Vanderbilt on the first day of the 2026 College Baseball Series was battle that included all the things any fan would want to see – overall great pitching, moon-shot home runs and terrific defense – until it didn’t. 

TCU broke open the back-and-forth clash in the top of the eighth inning when a couple of miscues from the Vanderbilt defense allowed the Horned Frogs to turn a one-run deficit into a two-run advantage and, ultimately, a 5-4 victory.

The matchup at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, was the second of three games on the first day of the CBS’ kickoff event, the Shriners Children’s College Showdown, and the game was broadcast live on FloCollege and the FloSports app as part of the wire-to-wire coverage of the College Baseball Series.

The first five runs of the game, and all four of Vanderbilt’s runs, came on solo home runs.

Junior catcher Colin Barczi nearly was the hero at the plate for the Commodores, as three of his team’s four home runs belonged to him, but the game ended up being decided by what he did behind the plate.

With two outs in the top of the eighth inning and TCU runners on second and third, Barczi dropped a third strike that would’ve ended the inning, and he threw the ball into right field.

The multi-base throwing error allowed TCU’s Cole Cramer and Sawyer Strosnider to score and give the Horned Frogs a 5-3 advantage. 

TCU had tied the game moments earlier with help from another Vanderbilt miscue.

A misplayed fly ball to left center allowed TCU freshman Lucas Franco to motor his way around the bases with one out. The potential second out turned into a triple, and he was able to score, and tie the game, on a double from Cramer.

Franco, the 2026 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year, just missed a home run on the first at-bat of his collegiate career, but he didn’t have to wait much longer. He hit one into the stands in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at 2-2.

The young left-hander was 2 for 3 with a home run, a triple, two runs and an RBI.

Down 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Vanderbilt made one final push and came within inches of tying the game one more time.

First, Barczi hit his third solo home run of the game, this time a 458-foot blast into the upper deck to cut the TCU lead to 5-4.

That brought out senior right-hander Walter Quinn from the bullpen for his TCU debut, which nearly ended in disaster.

Sophomore Brodie Johnston smacked a 2-2 pitch off the top of the wall in left center, missing his second home run of the game by inches. 

After the long double, Quinn ended the game with a strikeout and a pop out. 

Friday’s showdown was the eighth all-time meeting between TCU and Vanderbilt, and the series now is tied 4-4.

The last time they played was at the same event in 2023, with the Horned Frogs winning 11-4. Later that season, TCU advanced to the Men’s College World Series for the sixth time in program history.

For Barczi, the game was a tale of two statistics. 

Last season, he was a defensive star with a .996 fielding percentage. Offensively, he entered the 2026 season with just 10 home runs in 270 previous at-bats. 

All of the home runs Friday belonged to: TCU – Sawyer Strosnider, L. Franco; Vanderbilt – Barczi (three), Johnston. Strosnider’s opposite-field homer was the first hit of the year for TCU and came on the first pitch he saw.

TCU finished the game with five runs on six hits and committed one error. Vanderbilt had four runs on nine hits and also had one error.

Franco was the only TCU hitter with more than one hit, while Barczi and Johnston each had three hits for the Commodores.

The Horned Frogs sent four pitchers to the mound, with Stern getting the win, and Quinn picking up the save. Junior right-hander Tommy LaPour started the game and went five innings, giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking two.

Vanderbilt also used four pitchers with the loss going to junior right-hander Luke Guth. Junior right-hander Connor Fennell started for the Commodores and went 5 1/3, giving up two runs on two hits, while striking out seven and walking one. 

The 2026 NCAA Division I college baseball season officially got underway across the country Friday, and one of the competitive hotspots over the next few weeks will be Globe Life Field, home of the 2023 World Series-winning Texas Rangers, for the start of the three-event 2026 College Baseball Series. 

This weekend six-teams are in town for Shriners Children’s College Showdown, which also includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech

Friday’s other games were Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech at noon EST and Oklahoma State against Arkansas at 8 p.m.

From Friday through March 1, there will be 18 of the best teams in college baseball playing at GLF.

The schedule includes the Shriners Children’s College Showdown (Feb. 13-15), Amegy Bank College Baseball Series – Weekend 2 (Feb. 20-22) and Amegy Bank College Baseball Series presented – Weekend 3 (Feb. 27-March 1).

There also will be a pair of midweek games on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 that won’t be broadcast on FloCollege.

The 2026 season marks the sixth consecutive year of college baseball at Globe Life Field and the third straight year the action spans three weekends. 

How To Watch The TCU vs. Vanderbilt Replay From The 2026 Shriners Children’s College Showdown

The Shriners Children’s College Showdown is taking place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, from Feb. 13-15. It is streaming live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and breaking news from the event are available on both platforms. 

null


Final Stats From 5-4 TCU Victory Over Vanderbilt Baseball

TCU
Vanderbilt
Hitting
33At Bats37
5Runs4
6Hits9
1Doubles2
1Triples0
2Home Runs4
3RBI's4
3Walks (BB)3
13Strikeouts14
Pitching
9Hits6
4Runs5
4Earned Runs3
3Walks3
14Strikeouts13
41Batters Faced36
1Errors1
Fielding
27Putouts27
6Assists5
0.971Fielding %0.97
0Double Plays0

TCU Holds On To Defeat Vanderbilt Baseball 5-4 At Shriners Children's College Showdown

Quinn ends the contest with a strikeout and a pop out.

Johnston is stranded at second base, and TCU defeats Vanderbilt 5-4.

Another Blast For Vanderbilt's Colin Barczi, TCU Still Ahead 5-4

Barczi does it again for Vanderbilt, sending his third home run into the upper deck at Globe Life Field.

This one is a 458-foot solo shot that cuts the TCU lead to 5-4 with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Stern is pulled from the game for TCU and replaced by senior right-hander Walter Quinn, a transfer from Grand Canyon who is making his TCU debut.

The first batter up against Quinn is Johnston, who comes within a couple feet of his second home run of the day, which would've tied the game.

He's now on second base with one out.

We Head To The Ninth Inning In TCU-Vanderbilt Contest

Sophomore right-hander Nate Stern pitches the eighth inning for TCU and keep Vanderbilt at bay.

Let's head to the ninth!

TCU 5, Vanderbilt 3

Vanderbilt Error Allows TCU To Take The Lead, Horned Frogs Up 5-3

Bryan quickly gets the second out.

He then strikes out Noah Franco, but Barczi drops the third strike. While attempting to throw out Franco at first, he throws the ball into right field, allowing Cramer and Strosnider to score. Franco advances to second base. 

TCU 5, Vanderbilt 3

*Vandy is protesting the call. Call on the field is confirmed and stands.

TCU Baseball Ties Game With Vanderbilt, Knotted At 3-3

TCU puts the tying run on third base with a misplayed fly ball to left center that allows Lucas Franco to motor his way around the bases with one out.

Franco is able to score on a double from Cramer.

Strosnider is intentionally walked.

A passed ball allows Cramer to advance to third base and Strosnider to get to second. All with one out.

Guth leaves the game for Vanderbilt.

Sophomore right-hander England Bryan comes on to pitch for the Commodores.

TCU 3, Vanderbilt 3 in the top of the eighth inning.

Moon Shot For Commodores! Vanderbilt Leads 3-2 Against TCU

Barczi goes deep again for Vanderbilt. This time, a 439-foot bomb to left field.

Prior to this game, Barczi only had 10 home runs across 270 career at bats. 

Vanderbilt leads 3-2 with no outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Also, that's five runs, five home runs.

Pitching Change For Vanderbilt

With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Vanderbilt gets a new pitcher.

Schulz is out, replaced by junior right-hander Luke Guth. He the third pitcher of the game for Vandy.

Guth gives up an infield single, but that's all the damage that's done.

TCU 2, Vanderbilt 2

Let's stretch!

Vanderbilt-TCU Baseball Rolling Along At Globe Life Field, Game Tied 2-2 After Six Innings

Senior right-hander Tanner Sagouspe comes on to pitch for TCU. LaPour leaves after five full innings. He have up two runs on five hits, struck out five and walked two.

A two-out double from graduate outfielder Logan Johnstone keeps the hope alive for Vanderbilt in the bottom of the sixth inning.

That's where the threat ends. 

On to the seventh inning!

TCU 2, Vanderbilt 2

Pickoff Stops Momentum For TCU

After a walk, junior outfielder Chase Brunson is picked off trying to steal second base. Inning over.

TCU 2, Vanderbilt 2

Make That FOUR - TCU Answers With Another Solo Blast, Game Tied 2-2

TCU freshman Lucas Franco smacks the fourth home run of this contest to start the top of the sixth inning. It comes in the second at bat of his collegiate career. 

The game now is tied 2-2.

Two batters later, Fennell is pulled from the game for Vanderbilt. He goes 5 1/3 and leaves with the game tied and one out in the sixth. Fennell gave up two hits, two runs, one walk and struck out seven.

Junior southpaw Jakob Schulz comes on to pitch for the Commodores. The first batter he'll face is the slugger Strosnider.

It's A Home Run Derby In TCU Baseball vs. Vanderbilt Game In Texas

There have been three runs scored in this game. All three have come on solo homers.

Also, six total hits - three dingers. Welcome back, baseball!

Vanderbilt Baseball Takes 2-1 Lead Over TCU With Fifth-Inning Home Run

Brodie Johnston homers to right center to give the Commodores a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. It's his second hit of the game and fifth overall for Vanderbilt.

And, while you're here, check out the insane catch that ended the top of the inning:

TCU, Vanderbilt Tied After Four Innings In Arlington

Strosnider is walked. He advances to second on a groundout and then third on a sac fly.

But that's where he stays, and a fly ball to center field ends the threat and the inning.

Vandy also comes up empty in the fourth.

TCU 1, Vanderbilt 1

Vanderbilt Baseball And TCU Tied At College Baseball Series In Texas

The LaPour fastballs are getting hit hard in the third inning. The home run is followed by two hard-hit singles to put runners on first and second base, still with no outs.

But LaPour bounces back with two strikeouts and a grounder up the middle to retire Vanderbilt.

Game is tied 1-1 after three full innings. 

Vanderbilt On The Board With 452-Foot Blast, Game Tied 1-1

Junior catcher Colin Barczi blasts a 96-mph fastball into the seats in left center. It's a 452-foot game-tying homer!

TCU 1, Vanderbilt 1 with no outs in the bottom of the third inning. 

There have been three hits in the game, and two were home runs.

Vanderbilt Threatens, TCU Baseball Escapes Unharmed

A bloop base hit, a hit batter and a walk give Vanderbilt a bases-loaded opportunity with two outs, but the Commodores can't capitalize.

Sophomore Carter Johnstone lines out to right field to end the inning.

TCU stays on top 1-0 after two full innings.

Connor Fennell, Vandy Bounce Back With 1-2-3 Second Inning Against TCU Baseball

Fennell retires the Horned Frogs in order, including a 12-pitch at bat from Liddington, who ended up striking out. 

Fennell has struck out four through two innings, but he has thrown 30 pitches. 

The Commodores get their first base hit of the season through DH Mack Whitcomb to start the bottom of the second inning.

Horned Frogs Record Clean First Inning Against Vanderbilt, TCU Leads 1-0

With their ace on the mound, the TCU Horned Frogs shut down Vanderbilt in the bottom of the first inning.

Vanderbilt's Brodie Johnston reached base after a collision at first base. It goes down as a throwing error from third baseman Jack Bell, as Rob Liddington Jr. is pulled off the bag.

LaPour ends the inning with strikeout.

TCU Goes Yard In Opening Inning, Horned Frogs Lead Vanderbilt 1-0

TCU superstar/sophomore outfielder Sawyer Strosnider homers to left field to put TCU ahead 1-0 with one out in the first inning. Oh, and it was the second pitch of the game!

Fennell strikes out two.

TCU leads 1-0.

Vanderbilt coming up now.

TCU And Vanderbilt Baseball Underway In Arlington, Texas

The Big 12 vs. the SEC. Let's goooooo!

Junior right-hander Connor Fennell is on the hill for the two-time national champion Vanderbilt Commodores, and he'll face TCU's Cole Cramer for his first batter of the season.

All-American right-hander, junior Tommy LaPour, will take the mound for TCU.

Start Time Has Been Adjusted For TCU And Vanderbilt Baseball

The game now will begin at 4:35 p.m. Eastern.

The Vanderbilt Baseball Lineup Is In, Too!

Check out the Vandy starters to face TCU:

TCU Baseball Starters For Opening Day

See who's taking the field for the TCU Horned Frogs in their season opener against Vanderbilt!

What Teams Are Playing In the 2026 College Baseball Series?

Here’s a list of every team headed to Globe Life Field:

Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown

  • Arkansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma State
  • Texas Tech
  • TCU
  • Vanderbilt

Amegy Bank College Baseball Series – Weekend 2

  • Auburn
  • Florida State
  • Kansas State
  • Louisville
  • Michigan
  • Nebraska

Amegy Bank College Baseball Series – Weekend 3

  • Arizona State
  • Mississippi State
  • Tennessee
  • Texas A&M
  • UCLA
  • Virginia Tech

Midweek Games

  • *Arkansas vs. Tarleton State (Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. EST)
  • *TCU vs. UT Arlington (Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. EST)

*Will not be broadcast live by FloSports.

About TCU Baseball

TCU was 39-20 overall and 19-11 in Big 12 games last season, finished third in the 14-team standings and fell to Arizona in the final game of the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship.

The Horned Frogs’ season ended a week later after consecutive losses to USC (13-1) and Oregon State (7-2) in the regional round of the Division I Baseball Championship.

This year’s appearance at the College Baseball Series will be the fourth for TCU.

Read more about TCU baseball:

2026 TCU Baseball Roster

Find the 2026 TCU baseball roster here.

Check Out This Year’s TCU Walkout Songs

What does baseball in Texas sounds like? Take a look now!

About Vanderbilt Baseball

Vanderbilt finished the 2025 college baseball season with a 43-18 record after being bounced from the NCAA Nashville Regional.

The Commodores, the 2014 and 2019 NCAA national champions, opened the 2025 Division I Baseball Championship with a win over Wright State but then lost to Louisville and Wright State in consecutive games to close the door on their campaign.

After finishing tied for third place in the competitive SEC last year and earning the No. 4 seed for the SEC Tournament, Vanderbilt went on to win the tournament and earned an opportunity to add another national title.

In the championship game of the 2025 SEC Tournament, the Vanderbilt pitching staff held off Ole Miss to secure a 3-2 victory and the fifth SEC Tournament title for the Commodores. 

Following the event, the SEC found the national spotlight with a record 13 (of 16) SEC teams advancing to the Division I Baseball Championship. 

This season, Vanderbilt has been picked to finish fourth in possibly the most competitive league in all of NCAA athletics, while the Commodores hope to get the momentum going in the right direction with another winning weekend at Globe Life after going 2-1 in 2023.

2026 Vanderbilt Baseball Roster

Find the 2026 Vanderbilt baseball roster here.

It’s Opening Weekend For Vanderbilt Baseball

Here’s who will be on the mound for Vanderbilt at the 2026 Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, Texas.

Complete 2026 College Baseball Showdown Schedule

Here's when everything will be happening at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas:

Shriners Children’s College Showdown

All Times Eastern

Feb. 13, 2026

Feb. 14, 2026

Feb. 15, 2026

Amegy Bank College Baseball Series Weekend 2

Feb. 20, 2026

Feb. 21, 2026

Feb. 22, 2026

Amegy Bank College Baseball Series Weekend 3

Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 28, 2026

March 1, 2026

2026 D1Baseball Preseason Top 25 Rankings

  1. UCLA (48-18)
  2. LSU (53-15)
  3. Texas (44-14)
  4. Mississippi State (36-23)
  5. Georgia Tech (41-19)
  6. Coastal Carolina (56-13)
  7. Arkansas (50-15)
  8. Louisville (42-24)
  9. Auburn (41-20)
  10. TCU (39-20)
  11. North Carolina (46-15)
  12. Oregon State (48-16-1)
  13. Florida (39-22)
  14. Tennessee (46-19)
  15. Georgia (43-17)
  16. Florida State (42-16)
  17. NC State (35-21)
  18. Kentucky (31-26)
  19. Clemson (45-18)
  20. Southern Miss (47-16)
  21. Wake Forest (39-22)
  22. Miami (35-27)
  23. Vanderbilt (43-18)
  24. Arizona (44-21)
  25. Texas A&M (30-26)

2026 Big 12 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll

  1. TCU (13 first-place votes) — 169 points
  2. Arizona (1) — 157
  3. West Virginia — 137
  4. Arizona State — 128
  5. Kansas — 112
  6. Oklahoma State — 112
  7. Kansas State — 87
  8. Cincinnati — 85
  9. Texas Tech — 78
  10. UCF — 66
  11. Baylor — 54
  12. Houston — 42
  13. BYU — 29
  14. Utah — 18

To see all of the individual Big 12 recognition and preseason honors, check out this compilation from the Big 12 Conference.

2026 SEC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll

  1. LSU (9 first-place votes) — 231 points
  2. Texas (1) — 214
  3. Mississippi State (4) — 205
  4. Arkansas (2) — 203
  5. Auburn — 175
  6. Tennessee — 162
  7. Florida — 156
  8. Vanderbilt — 151
  9. Georgia — 133
  10. Ole Miss — 110
  11. Kentucky — 99
  12. Alabama — 87
  13. Texas A&M — 86
  14. Oklahoma — 84
  15. South Carolina — 49
  16. Missouri — 31

To see all of the individual SEC recognition and preseason honors, check out this compilation from the SEC.

When Does The 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Start?

The first/regional round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship will be May 29-31, with times and locations TBD.

The NCAA Super Regional action will be held June 5-7, again, with times and locations TBD.

The last eight teams standing will head to the 2026 Men's College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, from June 12-22 to battle through a combination of double-elimination and best-of-three competition until a champion emerges.

How To Watch More Of The 2026 College Baseball Season On FloCollege

College baseball in 2026 will be streamed on FloCollege and the FloSports app for select Division I preseason tournaments and for much of the Division II and Division III seasons. 

Recent NCAA Division I Baseball National Champions

  • 2025 – LSU
  • 2024 – Tennessee
  • 2023 – LSU
  • 2022 – Ole Miss
  • 2021 – Mississippi State
  • 2020 – No Tournament 
  • 2019 – Vanderbilt 

When Is The 2026 MLB Draft?

The MLB Draft begins the Sunday of MLB All-Star Week, which is being held in Philadelphia from July 11-14.

TCU vs. Vanderbilt Baseball Highlights | 2023 College Baseball Showdown

Watch college baseball highlights from TCU Vs Vanderbilt Baseball at the 2023 College Baseball Showdown.


Missed The 2025 Shriners Children’s College Showdown?

Revisit everything that happened during the 2025 Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, from Feb. 14-16. It all streamed live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and breaking news from the event are available on both platforms. 

Curious About What Happened During The 2025 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series?

Revisit everything that happened during the two weekends of play at the 2025 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, from Feb. 21-March 2. It all streamed live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and breaking news from the event are available on both platforms. 

FloBaseball Archived Footage

Video footage from FloBaseball events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloBaseball subscribers.

Join The College Baseball Conversation On Social