West Virginia remains winless in the Big 12 Conference Championship since it moved to the home of the Texas Rangers.
The No. 4 Mountaineers managed only three hits Tuesday in a 5-2 loss to TCU, moving West Virginia to the brink of elimination after one game in the event at Globe Field in Arlington, Texas.
WVU (33-21) will look to prolong its stay in the Lone Star State at 10 a.m. Wednesday against No. 6 Kansas State, which suffered a 2-1 loss to Kansas in the championship opener.
Logan Sauve’s two-run home run to right field on an 0-2 pitch in the bottom of the fifth inning provided all of the offense for the Mountaineers, and cut what had been a three-run deficit to 3-2 at that time.
TCU (32-19) answered right back with a critical two-out, run-scoring single from Ryder Robinson to increase its lead to two.
That was more than enough support for relief pitcher Braeden Sloan, who worked four scoreless innings with six strikeouts to earn the save.
Sloan did not allow a WVU baserunner with the exception of Sauve’s eighth-inning double. He was stranded at third that inning.
Brody Green’s solo home run in the ninth added to the TCU advantage.
Caedmon Parker was credited with the win after allowing two runs on two hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked four.
Green and Logan Maxwell recorded two hits apiece in the win.
Carson Estridge went 3 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits while suffering the loss. He struck out three and walked one. The Mountaineers then went to Maxx Yehl, who allowed two runs over 1 1/3 innings.
Hayden Cooper threw four strong frames after replacing Yehl. He allowed one run on three hits.
The Mountaineers have lost seven straight in the Big 12 Championship and are 0-5 since 2022 when the event moved to Globe Life Field.