After suffering a shell-shocking 7-1 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in their first game of the College World Series, the Texas Longhorns bounced back in resounding fashion, earning a 14-2 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, sending Georgia into the losers' bracket, where the Dawgs will face none other than the Horns, who are now on a revenge tour.
With Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle already using his Day 1 and Day 2 pitchers, Dylan Volantis and Ruger Riojas, there were a few questions about who the Horns would have available for yet another elimination game. Well, that answer is pretty simple.
Texas projected starting pitcher vs. Georgia in CWS elimination game
Luke Harrison, LHP (6-3 record, 4.29 ERA)
Left-handed pitcher Luke Harrison has repeatedly been Schlossnagle's Day 3 starting pitcher this season, closing out series for the Longhorns weekend after weekend. However, Texas does have a slew of other aces in its bullpen to call into the game if need be: Sam Cozart, Thomas Burns, Brett Crossland, Ethan Walker, and Haiden Leffew.
With Harrison on the mound, there are still nine players to figure out who will play where in the win-or-go-home matchup for Scholossnagle and the Horns.
Texas probable starting lineup vs. Georgia in College World Series
- Aiden Robbins - Right fielder
- Carson Tinney - Catcher
- Anthony Pack Jr. - Left fielder
- Ethan Mendoza - Designated hitter
- Adrian Rodriguez - Shortstop
- Temo Becerra - Second baseman
- Ashton Larson - First baseman
- Casey Borba - Third baseman
- Dariyan Pendergrass - Center fielder
After the poor showing against Georgia in the Horns' College World Series opener, Schlossnagle clearly saw a need for change and shifted around his usual lineup a bit. Ethan Mendoza moved to the cleanup position in the batting lineup and dropped second baseman Temo Becerra to sixth in the order.
With how well it worked for the Longhorns against the Crimson Tide, it shouldn't be a surprise if Schlossnagle sticks with what has worked for Texas, leaving Mendoza and Becerra where they were in the lineup on Monday.
How to watch Texas vs. Georgia CWS elimination game
Texas and Georgia are scheduled to throw out the first pitch at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, June 16, with the Longhorns as the home team, batting in the bottom of the innings.
- Date & Time: Tuesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. CT
- Location: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, NE
- TV & Streaming: ESPN, fuboTV
Unlike the first time these two teams met in Omaha, the Bulldogs are favored over the Longhorns, with a 1.5-run spread set ahead of the first pitch. However, the moneyline is extremely close, set at -125 for Georgia and -105 for Texas.
Odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Schlossnagle and the rest of the Horns will be out for more than just a win and revenge; they will be playing to keep their postseason dreams alive.
The winner of the matchup will move on to face the Oklahoma Sooners in the winners' circle, and the loser will go home, with their season ending after two losses in Omaha.
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