Texas Longhorn Baseball Poised To Return To Omaha, But First Things First

Texas Longhorn baseball fans are not used to losing. After two terrible seasons, they returned to form last year, finishing third at the College World Series in Omaha, just missing a chance to play for the championship.

This season, things look even more promising for the Longhorn baseball team. In fact, this could be one of the most talented teams that Augie Garrido has fielded during his time on the Forty Acres.

As is typical of a Garrido coached team, expect this year’s Longhorns to boast one of college baseball’s top defenses and pitching staffs.

Returning fielders from last year’s team include one of them best infield tandems in the country in Brooks Marlow (2B) and CJ Hinojosa (SS), catcher Tres Barrera, and outfielders Collin Shaw, Ben Johnson, and Zane Gurwtitz (moving from 3B).

Incoming freshman Travis Jones will take over at first base, while redshirt freshman Bret Boswell will replace Gurwitz at third.

Longhorn fans should also expect to see a lot of playing time from highly touted freshman catcher Michael Cantu.

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As far as the pitching rotation, Parker French makes a surprising return for his senior season and though there has been some talk of him moving to closer, for now, he is slated to be the team’s Friday night starter once again.

Sophomore Kacy Clemons is making the move from first base to the mound this season, and along with fellow sophomore Josh Sawyer, he is expected to be one of the team’s starting Saturday pitchers.

Rounding out the starting pitching staff is junior Chad Hollingsworth, who posted a 1.15 ERA last season and proved to be incredible on the post-season stage, posting a 0.00 ERA and allowing just six hits in over 17 innings during the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

Freshman Kyle Johnston will likely start the season as the team’s closer, though the position is still up for grabs, depending on how each pitcher fares early in the season.

Texas Longhorns /

Texas Longhorns

While Texas fans are used to solid defenses and elite pitching staffs, the team has struggled in recent years behind the plate.

This season, however, there doesn’t appear to be any holes in the batting line-up. Yes, the Horns will likely continue to play small ball and they may not be one of the nation’s top power-hitting teams, but this is an offense that has a ton of speed and solid hitters from one to nine. Generating runs should be a lot easier than the last couple of years.

There is no reason that this Texas team shouldn’t make the return trip to Omaha later this summer, but first things first. Competition for the Big 12 title will be very tough this year, and the Longhorns will face some stout teams even before conference play begins.

The No. 6 Horns begin their season this weekend vs. their in-state foe, the No. 15 Rice Owls at Reckling Park in Houston.

This weekend’s schedule:
Friday (6:00 p.m.) – RHP Parker French vs. RHP Kevin McCanna

Saturday (12:00 p.m.) – LHP Josh Sawyer vs. LHP Blake Fox
(4:00 p.m.) – RHP Kacy Clemens vs. RHP Ricardo Salinas

Sunday (1:00 p.m.) – RHP Chad Hollingsworth vs. RHP Austin Orewiler

Streaming for all games will be available at RiceOwls.com.

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