2010 TCU Baseball Preview

By Justin White

After making their first baseball super-regional in school history, TCU looks to make another deep run.

There was a mixed reaction across the metroplex when Matt Purke announced he would join TCU instead of the Texas Rangers. The high-profile freshman is just one reason why this year’s baseball team has Omaha on their minds.

The pitching staff looks to carry the load this year. A staff that, for the most part, still has the bitter taste of a loss to Texas in last year’s super regionals still in their mouths.

The Rangers selected Purke 14th overall, but the two sides could not agree on a contract. Purke was the highest drafted player to not sign with a team. Rivals.com tabbed Purke as the top high school prospect last season. Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle expects Purke to start at least one game a week.

“Depending on how he pitches, like everybody else, that will dictate when he pitches and how often he gets to stay in the rotation,” Schlossnagle said.

Purke isn’t the only nationally recognized pitcher on staff. Sophomore Kyle Winkler received a third invitation to try out for the United States national team this June. He previously tried out when he was 16, as well as last summer. Winkler said his experience with the national team taught him not to adapt to others, but to be himself.

“You can’t try to do anything that’s out of your realm whether it be trying to strike everybody out or hit a home run,” Winkler said. “You have to stick to your game.”

Last gave the baseball team six of the ten largest home crowds ever to attend a game at Lupton Stadium. Schlossnagle said good weather and opponents generated the crowds.

“When you combine a good program…like we’ve had with good opponents and good weather, then you’re normally going to draw really well,” Schlossnagle said.

The Horned Frogs open the season Friday, February 19th against Sam Houston State at Lupton Stadium.

See Head-Coach Jim Schlossnagle's full interview at http://blip.tv/file/3180296