Payton Tolle has put together an impressive season as he ranks in the top 15 nationally in strikeouts and K/9 as well as the top 25 in hits allowed per nine innings. The southpaw is the first TCU pitcher since 2021 to record more than 100 strikeouts in a season, and he has been the starting pitcher in three of the Horned Frogs’ shutouts this season. He leads the Big 12 in ERA while recording six quality starts, as well as five starts with 10 or more strikeouts. He was unanimously named National Pitcher of the Week after tossing a shutout with 15 punchouts in a 1-0 win at Oklahoma State on March 22. TCU is currently 8-4 in his 12 starts.
Tolle has produced at the plate in addition to his efforts on the mound. He has two home runs and 13 RBI, and recorded the game-winning home run in a game against Florida Gulf Coast that helped TCU overcome a six-run deficit.