Kirk Saarloos dishes on why he loves college baseball so much following CWS win over Virginia on Father’s Day

The TCU pitching staff did an excellent job of shutting down the Virginia Cavaliers’ bats on Sunday when they needed to the most. The Horned Frogs came away with a 4-3 victory in a close battle in their College World Series matchup. The win was extra meaningful for TCU freshman closer Ben Abeldt, who finished off the victory on Father’s Day. His father passed away a couple of years ago. Following the big win, TCU head coach Kirk Saarloos discussed what he said to his star closer after finishing off the victory on such a special day.

Kirk Saarloos was very touched by Ben Abeldt’s story

“Well I almost brought it up on the mound. I think the situation was big enough,” Saarloos began.

“That’s why baseball is the most awesome and amazing game for storylines like that. In terms of Father’s Day and you know I just gave Ben a big hug and said, ‘Super proud of you and I know your dad would be, too.’ Just gives me goosebumps thinking about it. The guy pulls out a game like that. That says a lot about him. He’s an awesome kid.”

Saarloos also described how much the win on Father’s Day meant for him personally. “Yeah. Same thing, you know. Father’s Days are pretty special and now that I’ve got three kiddos and they all wake up and say happy Father’s Day to me,” he continued.

Father’s Day on Sunday was a special day for the Horned Frogs, but also bittersweet for Saarloos. “[I’m] a little bit bummed that I’m not able to say that to my dad, but he’s got the best seat in the house. And he’s been watching down this whole year. But I’ve got family around me, we’re gonna go celebrate Father’s Day tonight after this game. So, super excited that we got the win, and we get to keep playing and keep writing our story.”

The TCU head man said he wished the games would be a little less stressful in the final few innings, but he knows with such a loaded field in the College World Series, it’s bound to be close. “I wish it would. I wish we would have more of a stress free ninth inning. But that’s what you get when you get eight teams. Everybody’s fighting for their life, and nobody gives away a pass. That Virginia club and their coaching staff is as it gets. And we’re just fortunate to come up with a win and keep playing,” said Saarloos.

The Horned Frogs’ freshman have stepped up in the big moments in the postseason. Players like freshman closer Ben Abeldt have delivered the goods with his team’s season on the line.

What has his advice been to his talented group of freshmen at the College World Series? “Just keep playing like you have been the whole year. You know, you’ve got older guys around you,” the TCU head coach said.

Saarloos said that his freshmen simply play more like grizzled veterans. “They don’t play like freshmen,” he began. “They haven’t for a long time and so, they’re just soaking it all in and enjoying the moment. And it’s pretty exciting to see those guys come up in big situations and just keep doing what they’ve been doing all season.”

Earlier in the season, the Horned Frogs started eating IHOP often to keep team chemistry fresh and fun. Is another trip to IHOP in TCU’s future meal plans at the College World Series?

“Well, we’re definitely having IHOP on Tuesday morning,” Saarloos said. “The rest of the day we’re just gonna kind of break it down, relax, maybe get some water back in these guys, get them off their feet. We’ll figure out what we’re gonna do tomorrow. But we’re just excited we’re gonna play another game on Tuesday. And look forward to competing and giving ourselves another chance.”

TCU will play on Tuesday, June 20th. They’ll play the loser of the Oral Roberts and Florida matchup. Game time for that one is set for 2:00 PM EST.

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