Texas baseball vs. Air Force: Odds, TV/stream, pick for Regionals
The wait is over as the first day of the Austin Regional has arrived for head coach David Pierce and No. 9 Texas baseball are set to host the Air Force Falcons. For the third time this season, Texas is set to face a tough Air Force team that really gave them a run for their money in the prior two meetings.
The last two meetings between the Longhorns and Falcons saw the latter of those two teams put up a whopping 24 runs. Air Force dismantled Texas in the first meeting between these two teams this season, winning by a score of 14-2.
Texas did avenge that 12-run loss in the second of two meetings with Air Force during the regular season. But the second win only came by a margin of two runs, in a high-scoring affair that ended with a score of 12-10.
Moreover, Texas comes into the Austin Regional following a loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the final game of the Big 12 Tournament last weekend. Texas still had a spirited run in the Big 12 Tournament, but they were beaten handily by the rival Sooners in the last game.
That gives the Longhorns a record of 42-19 (14-10 Big 12) heading into this regional.
Meanwhile, Air Force comes into the Austin Regional sporting a 30-27 (15-15 MWC) record following their win in the Mountain West Conference Tournament last week. Air Force is one of the more unlikely teams to make it to the college baseball postseason. But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t one of the most dangerous underdogs in this entire postseason field.
Air Force might actually be the most difficult four-seed that Texas could face among any that could’ve possibly landed in the Austin Regional. Texas definitely won’t be taking Air Force lightly.
Moreover, this meeting between Texas and Air Force in the Austin Regional has a first pitch time set for 1 p.m. CT on June 3 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Here’s a look at the betting odds, TV/streaming information, and game prediction as Texas hosts Air Force in their first game of the Austin Regional on June 3.
Texas baseball vs. Air Force betting odds
According to WynnBet, Texas is a favorite in the moneyline over Air Force in this game. Texas’ moneyline is set at -330 while Air Force’s sits at +240.
Texas baseball vs. Air Force TV/streaming info
TV: Longhorn Network
Stream: WatchESPN (if you have LHN as part of your television package)
Radio: 104.9 FM The Horn/1260 AM
Texas baseball vs. Air Force pick
While Air Force is definitely one of the most difficult opponents that Texas could face in their first game while hosting a regional, this team should come out very prepared and motivated. Texas will be looking to prove that the results against the Falcons earlier this season were a fluke and that this team is destined to advance to super regionals and then the College World Series.
Proving the doubters wrong that Texas can take care of business against Air Force starts with pitching. Texas’ pitching staff was shelled against the Falcons in the first two meetings between these two teams this season.
Redshirt sophomore ace pitcher Pete Hansen will get the ball on the mound for the Longhorns. If Hansen was looking for a time to shine this season, now would be it. He might have other games with a brighter spotlight on him, but Texas needs a win to get off on the right foot in this regional.
A solid outing from Hansen will be just what the Longhorns need to give the bats the confidence to get going against Air Force’s ace in this one.
And the offense should surely have confidence heading into this one after superstar Ivan Melendez received the honors of the National Player of the Year earlier this week. Melendez should be primed for a big run in the postseason after having a historic season with a batting average well north of .400 and 29 home runs to lead the nation during the regular season.
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If Melendez, Hansen, and the Longhorns are able to claim a win over Air Force on June 3, that would mean they would face the winner of the other opening-round game in the Austin Regional. The other game being played on June 3 will pit the Dallas Baptist Patriots against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Texas will face the winner of DBU/Louisiana Tech on June 4 at the Disch if they can take care of business against Air Force. If not, they will face the loser of DBU/LA Tech on June 4 in an elimination game.