Big 12 baseball power rankings: TCU off to best start in 30 years
Fifth-ranked TCU garnered 11 of the 13 first-place votes in the preseason Big 12 baseball coaches poll. No reason so far to say the coaches got it wrong, especially not after last weekend when the Horned Frogs swept a three-game home series from No. 24 UCLA.
Kurtis Byrne homered in the first two games and, for the second Sunday series finale in a row, Karson Bowen had a home run and five runs batted in. Byrne and Bowen are in the lineup every day, rotating with each other at catcher and first base.
The series sweep made TCU 7-0, the Horned Frogs' best start since they began 9-0 in 1994 on the way to an NCAA regional. It also keeps them atop the Big 12 power rankings, where they've been since the start.
About half the teams in the Big 12 did something noteworthy last week, though. The conference race is going to be entertaining.
Here's how we size up the Big 12 this week. Records were at the conclusion of Sunday's games.
1. TCU (7-0)
Last week: 1
What to know: How long can TCU keep the perfect start intact? Good question, given the Horned Frogs' stretch of eight straight against Pac-12 teams continues with games against Washington State, Arizona, Arizona State and two against Southern California.
2. Texas (6-1)
Last week: 2
What to know: The 13th-ranked Longhorns swept a three-game home series from Cal Poly, all via shutouts. Strong stuff from starting pitchers Labarron Johnson, Charlie Hurley and Cody Howard, the latter making his first career start.
More: For the first time since 2002, Texas shuts out a team over course of three-game series
3. Texas Tech (6-2)
Last week: 3
What to know: The Red Raiders swept Texas Southern 32-5, 20-4 and 16-5, setting a school record for single-game runs in the opener. More of the same could be in store this weekend with Gardner-Webb coming to town.
More: What is the most runs in a college baseball game? Texas Tech scores 32 vs. Texas Southern
More: Owen Washburn's back, and wielding a hot bat for Texas Tech baseball
4. Oklahoma State (4-3)
Last week: 4
What to know: In another multi-team event at Globe Life Field, Oklahoma State beat Michigan and No. 4 Arkansas before losing to No. 7 Oregon State. The conquest of the Razorbacks was 2-1 in 14 innings, one of the most riveting games of the year so far.
5. Oklahoma (5-3)
Last week: 5
What to know: Look out for lefty pitcher Braden Davis, a transfer who posted a 2.78 ERA last year for Sam Houston State. In two starts for the Sooners, he's allowed one earned run and six hits in 11 innings.
6. Kansas State (4-3)
Last week: 6
What to know: K-State, with key personnel back from a 35-win team, wants to challenge the Big 12's best this year. The Wildcats can prove they're capable when they play road games Tuesday at No. 8 Tennessee and Wednesday at No. 9 Clemson.
7. West Virginia (4-4)
Last week: 7
What to know: Last thing lovers of Big 12 baseball want to hear: All-everything second baseman J.J. Wetherholt, the potential No. 1 overall Major League draft pick, has been on the shelf with a hamstring injury.
8. Central Florida (5-0)
Last week: 10
What to know: UCF beat 2023 Coral Gables regional finalist Miami 4-3 with the bullpen delivering seven innings of scoreless, two-hit relief. Then the Knights swept Samford, which won an Auburn regional game last season.
9. Houston (6-1)
Last week: 8
What to know: Cougars won their first six, and first baseman Justin Murray ended last weekend on a 22-game hit streak dating to last season. Up next, a telltale stretch against Texas State (36-23 last year), Louisiana-Lafayette (41-23 last year) and No. 6 Vanderbilt (42-20 last year).
10. Kansas (3-4)
Last week: 9
What to know: KU was competitive at the Round Rock Classic, beating Texas State, dropping close ones to Washington State and Kentucky. Can the Jayhawks take four from Texas Southern like Texas Tech did?
11. Baylor (1-6)
Last week: 11
What to know: You can make a case that no Big 12 team scheduled a more challenging first two weeks than the Bears. Opening weekend: Winless against Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee in Arlington. Last weekend, swept at home by Indiana.
12. Cincinnati (3-3)
Last week: 13
What to know: Former Texas Tech infielder Lauden Brooks delivered a go-ahead, two-run triple in a 6-5 win over Ball State, and Nathan Taylor fanned 10 in a 10-3 conquest of Illinois. Then the Bearcats needed three pitchers in the first inning of a 25-2 loss to Coastal Carolina.
13. Brigham Young (2-5)
Last week: 12
What to know: Sophomore righthander Ben Hansen, 0-5 with a 6.71 ERA last year, is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA after two starts this year.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Big 12 baseball power rankings: TCU sweeps UCLA for best start since '94
