ARLINGTON – If you’re looking for a soft launch to the 2026 college baseball season, don’t check the schedule for TCU Horned Frogs.

The Frogs roll into Globe Life Field for the Shriners Children’s College Classic and immediately dive into the deep end — three ranked-caliber opponents in three days, under the roof in Arlington, with national eyeballs watching every pitch.

Friday starts with firepower. Right-hander Tommy LaPour — the Preseason Big 12 Pitcher of the Year — gets the ball against Vanderbilt Commodores. LaPour headlines a veteran core that includes Preseason Player of the Year Sawyer Strosnider, plus Chase Brunson and Noah Franco on the All-Big 12 list. TCU blasted Vandy 11-4 the last time they opened a season in Arlington. Expect zero fear in that dugout.

Saturday? It gets nastier.

Arkansas Razorbacks bring their national-title expectations into the building, and Mason Brassfield draws the assignment. Arkansas holds a 46-28 edge in the all-time series, but recent meetings have felt more like Omaha auditions than February tune-ups. This one has postseason preview written all over it.

Then comes Sunday and an old-school rivalry revival. Oklahoma Sooners meet TCU for the 113th time, with Lance Davis on the mound. It’s not a conference series anymore, but don’t expect the intensity to dip.

TCU enters 2026 ranked for the 17th straight season and returns 69 percent of last year’s offensive production along with half of its innings on the mound. Under head coach Kirk Saarloos, the Frogs are 78-43 at neutral sites and 20-10 all-time at Globe Life Field.

Translation? This isn’t a warm-up.

It’s a statement opportunity.