Heartbreaking finish likely leaves TCU outside postseason

As Baylor celebrated its walk-off victory Sunday in the Big 12 championship game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Connor Wanhanen sat motionless on the infield grass. For the first time in the senior’s TCU career, his season will end without a trip to Omaha.

The 6-5 defeat in 11 innings in all likelihood will keep TCU out of the NCAA Tournament and end the Horned Frogs’ four-year streak of making it to the College World Series. TCU had its chances to secure the Big 12’s automatic bid, losing one-run leads in the ninth and 11th innings.

“You can be Pollyanna and think you have a shot,” TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “... But it shouldn’t even be up in the air. We should’ve won the ballgame.”

Baylor coach Steve Rodriguez advocated for his conference mates.

“TCU gave us everything that we could’ve handled,” Rodriguez said. “They need to be in the regionals.”

In addition to the Bears, Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State figure to be in the 64-team tournament field, revealed Monday.

Schlossnagle connected to Miss. State opening

It’s possible Sunday’s loss was not only the final game of TCU’s season, but also of Schlossnagle’s time with the program.

A report from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said Schlossnagle, TCU’s coach for the past 15 seasons, was among the candidates for Mississippi State’s coaching opening.

Rodriguez said he would like to see him remain in the Big 12.

“I think he’s great for our conference,” Rodriguez said. “I think he’s a great man. … He has set a really impressive bar for the Big 12 and, to be honest, college baseball.”

Big 12 All-Tournament team revealed

Big 12 Tournament champion Baylor led the league with five representatives on the All-Tournament Team, including co-Most Outstanding Players Shea Langeliers and Cody Bradford.

Carl Albert product and Texas Tech first baseman Cameron Warren was honored, as were Baylor’s Nick Loftin, Davis Wendzel and Richard Cunningham; TCU’s A.J. Balta, Johnny Rizer, Sean Wymer and Jake Eissler; and West Virginia’s Kyle Gray and Darius Hill.

NATHAN RUIZ, STAFF WRITER