TCU closer Ben Abeldt talks about importance of College World Series 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 closed out the victory on Father’s Day. His father passed away a couple of years ago. Following the game, Abeldt spoke with the ESPN crew on the field.

TCU freshman closer Ben Abeldt shared the importance of the win over the Virginia Cavaliers on Father’s Day

On the field after the game, Horned Frogs head coach Kirk Saarloos hugged Abeldt and said a few words in his ear. Abeldt shared what his head coach told him following the big win. “He just said, great job out there. It’s Father’s Day. It’s a special day. And so, he just wanted to congratulate me,” Abeldt began.

The freshman then got a bit emotional as he described what the win meant to him on the special day. “It means a ton. It means a ton. My dad passed away a couple of years ago and so, just doing it for him, it’s just awesome,” said Abeldt.

What were the feelings and thoughts going through his head during the last pitch on Sunday? “Honestly, just locate it. To be honest. I was just trying to put a good pitch so that he could either put it in play or miss, so the defense could work for me,” the freshman closer said.

Abeldt had to deal with some of the most talented batters in the Cavaliers’ lineup in the final two innings. He delivered a beautiful performance in shutting down one of the most explosive offenses in college baseball. Virginia averaged nine runs this year, but could only manage to put up three runs against TCU. In 1 2/3 innings of work, the 6-foot-6 closer fired two strikeouts, allowed zero runs, and got the save for the Horned Frogs.

He discussed what his head coach told the freshman in their meeting late in the year. “I just took away that basically, it’s just a normal game and there’s no more jitters and everything. And so, just play the game like you ought to,” Abeldt said.

He talked about how close he and his teammates are. “Man, we’ve got each other’s backs all the time. Every day. It just proves it on the field here right now. And we’re not going down without a fight.”

Then, the ESPN reporter asked him a funny question. If he was going to keep going to IHOP–the pancake restaurant. “Absolutely, yes, for sure,” he laughed. What’s his go-to order at IHOP? “It’s always, a thing of pancakes. And then underneath we got some ham, bacon, hash brown, and eggs. Same thing for everyone,” Abeldt said.

The Horned Frogs’ magical 2023 run continues. TCU will now wait to play the loser of the Florida and Oral Roberts matchup.