Consistency. That is what the Texas Longhorns need this weekend against Baylor. The Bears make the short drive down I-35 (I hope they get stuck in the endless construction) to square off against a Horns team that is looking for consistency. Whether in the hitting game or bullpen and heck, even the starting rotation, the Horns need to put all the pieces together this weekend as make no doubt about it, this is a series in which they have the talent to sweep. Will they sweep? I have not yet seen anything from the Horns to suggest they will, but I have seen enough glimpses of their overall talent to know with complete certainty that they can.
On paper, Friday night was shaping up to be a pitchers duel between LHP Pete Hansen and LHP Tyler Thomas, but instead, Texas has been given a bit of a break in the sense that Texas has the opportunity to snatch two wins before having to face the Bear ace. That could prove vital for a team that has been very hot and cold at times this year. Baseball is a game of momentum and while Baylor is not an easy team to sweep (ask TCU and OU), Texas truly needs a big showing this weekend and have the perfect opportunity to roll into Always Win Sunday looking for a sweep. Otherwise, they might roll into Sunday looking at a must win at all costs game.
The "kiss of death" aka a team meeting was held by some of the leaders on the club Tuesday night after the loss to Air Force and then the entire team held a meeting before the game on Wednesday against Air Force. According to Pierce, it was not about point fingers or assigning blame, but being honest with each other and themselves in what they can each do to get better and understand where they are at. Pierce described it as "having a clean slate going into yesterday [Wednesday night game]" and that the walk-off win certainly helped bring them closer together. Obviously, any type of team meeting this time of year is generally a bad thing as they are not there like handing out presents and chocolates like the Tri Delt Circle of Sisterhood Week. Based on Pierce's comments, there were probably some hurt feelings and misunderstandings, but it was "aired" out. Does that mean everything is going to turn around magically and all is well with the world? History suggest otherwise, but again, it goes back to consistency. If each guy can go out and do his job and grind, they have the ability to beat anyone. The question is, can they get on a roll and stay that way or will the next set back drag them further into the realm of a failed year?
AROUND THE HORNS
Texas v. Baylor Stats:
RPI 14 v. 54
SOS 22 v. 8
BA .311 v. 271
ERA 4.06 v. 4.74
Fielding% .983 v. .971
#10 TEXAS (27-13, 6-6) vs. BAYLOR (20-17, 4-8)
April 22-24, 2022
Where: UFCU Disch-Falk Field
Time: Friday at 6:30 pm; Saturday at 1 pm; Sunday at 1 pm
TV: Longhorn Network
Radio: 104.9 FM The Horn/1260 AM
All-time series: Texas leads, 250-112-4
Texas hosts Baylor for a three-game Big 12 Conference series at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The Longhorns won the series over the Bears last season in Waco. Texas swept Baylor the last time the two teams met in Austin in 2018. Since 2018, Texas holds a 6-2 advantage in the series.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY–Texas LHP Pete Hansen (6-1, 2.78) vs. Baylor RHP Will Rigney (2-1, 4.42)
SATURDAY–Texas RHP Tristan Stevens (4-4, 4.37) vs. Baylor LHP Kobe Andrade (3-1, 3.20)
SUNDAY–Texas LHP Lucas Gordon (3-1, 2.74) vs. Baylor LHP Tyler Thomas (4-3, 1.97)
The Baylor pitching staff is led by their ace LHP Tyler Thomas. Interestingly enough, he missed his last start and last pitched on 4/8 against West Virginia, a game in which he threw 104 pitches in 5 innings and gave up 7 H and 4 runs. Against TCU, he went 6 innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs and against OU he went 5.2 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. Strangely enough he has given up at least 6 hits in each of his last 5 starts. All that to say, he has not been as sharp over the past month of games and with his history of shoulder problems (TOC), him missing a start against Kansas is an interesting side note, especially since he has been a Friday night starter all year and suddenly has been moved to Sunday. Sources state that Baylor was just giving him a rest, but it could be something to watch for.
Friday night starter RHP Will Rigney is the man who replaced Tyler Thomas against KU and did alright in pitch 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 runs, but ultimately took the loss as Baylor could not find any offense on the night. He did get touched up against OU, pitching 4.1 innings in relief, but had a very nice relief outing against TCU, going 5.1 innings, giving up only 2 hits and no runs.
The Saturday starter is Texas A&M transfer LHP Kobe Andrade is not going to strike a lot of guys out (14 on the season through 39.1 IP), but he has been a steady presence in the Bears rotation. He did get touched up a bit against West Virginia, but had solid outings in relief against TCU (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and start against OU (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R).
Hitting Matchups:
The two biggest names to know are 2B Tre Richardson and CF Jared McKenzie. Richardson is a very athletic guy that moves really well on the field and has a solid glove. On the season, he is hitting .306 with 3 HR and 25 RBIs. He does not steal a ton (5-7), but he does a great job of getting on base and leads the team in OB% and walks. McKenzie started the season as one of the highest MLB draft prospects for the 2022 draft but has not had the same success in 2022 that he found in 2021. On the season, he is hitting .292 with 5 HRs, 26 RBIs and 17 walks. He has turned it on a bit in conference play with 3 of his 5 homers coming recently.
Overall, the Baylor offense is not quite as potent as many thought it might be at the beginning of the season, but they are an athletic team that has played in quite a few close games this season.
Texas v. Baylor Hitting Stats (season):
BA .311 - .271
Hits 432 - 343
Runs 306 - 239
HRs 64 - 25
Walks 191 - 168
SO 323 - 276
Notes from Media Availability today:
Pete Hansen:
David Pierce:
Trey Faltine:
Finally - nothing to do with Baylor, but just want to again give a tip of the cap to Air Force and their program. Absolutely first class and staying behind to listen to the Eyes of Texas was superb.
On paper, Friday night was shaping up to be a pitchers duel between LHP Pete Hansen and LHP Tyler Thomas, but instead, Texas has been given a bit of a break in the sense that Texas has the opportunity to snatch two wins before having to face the Bear ace. That could prove vital for a team that has been very hot and cold at times this year. Baseball is a game of momentum and while Baylor is not an easy team to sweep (ask TCU and OU), Texas truly needs a big showing this weekend and have the perfect opportunity to roll into Always Win Sunday looking for a sweep. Otherwise, they might roll into Sunday looking at a must win at all costs game.
The "kiss of death" aka a team meeting was held by some of the leaders on the club Tuesday night after the loss to Air Force and then the entire team held a meeting before the game on Wednesday against Air Force. According to Pierce, it was not about point fingers or assigning blame, but being honest with each other and themselves in what they can each do to get better and understand where they are at. Pierce described it as "having a clean slate going into yesterday [Wednesday night game]" and that the walk-off win certainly helped bring them closer together. Obviously, any type of team meeting this time of year is generally a bad thing as they are not there like handing out presents and chocolates like the Tri Delt Circle of Sisterhood Week. Based on Pierce's comments, there were probably some hurt feelings and misunderstandings, but it was "aired" out. Does that mean everything is going to turn around magically and all is well with the world? History suggest otherwise, but again, it goes back to consistency. If each guy can go out and do his job and grind, they have the ability to beat anyone. The question is, can they get on a roll and stay that way or will the next set back drag them further into the realm of a failed year?
AROUND THE HORNS
Texas v. Baylor Stats:
RPI 14 v. 54
SOS 22 v. 8
BA .311 v. 271
ERA 4.06 v. 4.74
Fielding% .983 v. .971
#10 TEXAS (27-13, 6-6) vs. BAYLOR (20-17, 4-8)
April 22-24, 2022
Where: UFCU Disch-Falk Field
Time: Friday at 6:30 pm; Saturday at 1 pm; Sunday at 1 pm
TV: Longhorn Network
Radio: 104.9 FM The Horn/1260 AM
All-time series: Texas leads, 250-112-4
Texas hosts Baylor for a three-game Big 12 Conference series at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The Longhorns won the series over the Bears last season in Waco. Texas swept Baylor the last time the two teams met in Austin in 2018. Since 2018, Texas holds a 6-2 advantage in the series.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY–Texas LHP Pete Hansen (6-1, 2.78) vs. Baylor RHP Will Rigney (2-1, 4.42)
SATURDAY–Texas RHP Tristan Stevens (4-4, 4.37) vs. Baylor LHP Kobe Andrade (3-1, 3.20)
SUNDAY–Texas LHP Lucas Gordon (3-1, 2.74) vs. Baylor LHP Tyler Thomas (4-3, 1.97)
The Baylor pitching staff is led by their ace LHP Tyler Thomas. Interestingly enough, he missed his last start and last pitched on 4/8 against West Virginia, a game in which he threw 104 pitches in 5 innings and gave up 7 H and 4 runs. Against TCU, he went 6 innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs and against OU he went 5.2 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. Strangely enough he has given up at least 6 hits in each of his last 5 starts. All that to say, he has not been as sharp over the past month of games and with his history of shoulder problems (TOC), him missing a start against Kansas is an interesting side note, especially since he has been a Friday night starter all year and suddenly has been moved to Sunday. Sources state that Baylor was just giving him a rest, but it could be something to watch for.
Friday night starter RHP Will Rigney is the man who replaced Tyler Thomas against KU and did alright in pitch 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 runs, but ultimately took the loss as Baylor could not find any offense on the night. He did get touched up against OU, pitching 4.1 innings in relief, but had a very nice relief outing against TCU, going 5.1 innings, giving up only 2 hits and no runs.
The Saturday starter is Texas A&M transfer LHP Kobe Andrade is not going to strike a lot of guys out (14 on the season through 39.1 IP), but he has been a steady presence in the Bears rotation. He did get touched up a bit against West Virginia, but had solid outings in relief against TCU (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and start against OU (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R).
Hitting Matchups:
The two biggest names to know are 2B Tre Richardson and CF Jared McKenzie. Richardson is a very athletic guy that moves really well on the field and has a solid glove. On the season, he is hitting .306 with 3 HR and 25 RBIs. He does not steal a ton (5-7), but he does a great job of getting on base and leads the team in OB% and walks. McKenzie started the season as one of the highest MLB draft prospects for the 2022 draft but has not had the same success in 2022 that he found in 2021. On the season, he is hitting .292 with 5 HRs, 26 RBIs and 17 walks. He has turned it on a bit in conference play with 3 of his 5 homers coming recently.
Overall, the Baylor offense is not quite as potent as many thought it might be at the beginning of the season, but they are an athletic team that has played in quite a few close games this season.
Texas v. Baylor Hitting Stats (season):
BA .311 - .271
Hits 432 - 343
Runs 306 - 239
HRs 64 - 25
Walks 191 - 168
SO 323 - 276
Notes from Media Availability today:
Pete Hansen:
- Definitely good to be back at home. Did not get the results we wanted, but stuff we can learn from and some good things we can take away
- This week is a new opportunity. Bears have a good ball club, have to have short term memory and its on to the next one.
- I take the approach of one pitch at a time. Have to look at the grand scheme of things and keep in mind.
- Goal is to host a Super [Regional]. Have a Super at the Disch is a lot of fun, great to see Longhorn nation out. Want to host a Super
- Tough not to get caught up in your own work, but it is rewarding to help others and also learn stuff about yourself. Give them feedback and get feedback as well.
- I work with Lucas [Gordon] and [Luke] Harrison as my lefties, but I also play catch with Andre [Duplantier]. He had a really good inning last week. Did not end as he wanted.
- Have an extra day this week which is different. For me, try not to get too caught up in last week. Watch film and learn, but I move on. A few pitches I wish I could have back, but there was good stuff I can carry forward. Baylor will be a fun weekend for us
- Tristan is a guy that wants it. Really tough for him, he hasn't gotten the results he wanted. He is the hardest worker on the pitching staff. Trying to figure out what he can do to get better. He is so close though. Has to get the ball down and he knows that. Tough guy who comes from a tough family. Been talking to him a bunch and he cares. He wants it really bad, but he will be good.
- Silas called the pitches after Pierce was ejected. Tristan and I both got on the mic and Miller chatted as well. Shook his hand after the game like we got the W. Pretty fun situation.
- Lucas [Gordon] is a very talented kid. Fun to see him compete. He is such a competitor. He is helping me a lot too. He is a rock and excited to see the strides he is going to make. He is only scratching the surface of potential he has.
David Pierce:
- Update on Sean Allen
- Several fractures - sinus, orbital and cheek bone. Here today at practice. Looks like he got in a fight with [Mike] Tyson. Possible surgery but don't know yet.
- On the team
- Attitude is outstanding. Obviously had some bumps. Came together before the game (Wednesday against Air Force). Did we pitch great? No, but grew in some areas. Our team as a whole had attitude that I felt was good. Attribute that to everyone being honest with ourselves and each other. Getting to a solution on what each of us could do to get better. Clean slate going into yesterday. Walk off win definitely helped bring them closer together. Short work out today and then get ready for Baylor. Pierce did note that bullpen catcher Preston Hoffart is back with the team after an extended absence.
- On Silas calling pitches
- We have had him call some games, but he still has the mic. Good for him because he learns to set up guys and he reads the feet of hitters better. Makes him a better overall receiver and when the catcher has ownership to personally call them and they don't execute, he has the ability to react accordingly.
- Pierce joked that the first HR was Silas's responsibility because he couldn't get the mic working properly
- On young bullpen guys
- Tough at this time of year to talk mechanics. Goes back to leadership of pitching staff and getting away from isolated lifts and get those guys involved. Need to hear from coaches, but also work with leaders to help build the routines. Madden, Elder and Stevens, all guys who developed work habits and they go out and do their things. Not always the most inclusive and have to get away from that a bit and away from the "pro approach" to really pass the torch. Learning curve has to be sped up for guys like [Josh] Stewart. Culture is about the people in the building.
- On this year in general
- Been fun. Couple of things we can get better at. Not bunting as much, but really coaching to personnel. We are going to have to run a bit more if we are not going to bunt and try to create in different ways. Look at lineup, there is a lot of pop in the middle. Don't want to create too much action where they pitch around Ivan to get to Murph who grounds into a double play. Continue to teach the style of offense with this group and execute based on personnel.
- Thought Josh did great job yesterday. Came in with confidence. Shook me off 10 times. Has conviction and a feel for what he wants to do. Can't be afraid to shake. As a pitcher, if you have a feel, have to go there.
- Concerned about seeding
- Yes, I want our guys to be good today and get better. Look at it every day. .500 halfway through conference. Next 3 of 4 are at home but that is no guarantee. Gotta win rest of schedule if we are going to host. Aware of it, but don't play with pressure of that. It is what it is. I do look at it quite a bit though.
- Haven't talked to team about hosting much. Talked much more about how we can help each other and be better. Only thing you can control is play on the field. As a fan, I get it. Don't want to watch sloppy play and guys not throw strikes.
- On Air Force
- Impressed with the team. Same guy, same consistency no matter the score, they play hard. No real trash talk, no disrespect of game or opponent. Kind of an honor watching them and understand where they are in their academics and what lies ahead after graduation.
- 7 of the 9 seniors on the team are going to be fighter pilots.
Trey Faltine:
- Mood after last night
- Feels good to have a game like that. Good momentum going into the weekend. Pissed off about Tuesday, but excited to play Baylor
- Tuesday Post Game in Dugout
- Silas, me and couple of leaders stayed to talk about how to get better. Older guys can't show panic or frustration. Have to be leaders and show younger guys its going to be alright. Had team meeting and next day go out and play like we did. Have to keep positive momentum.
- On the fan base
- Try not to focus too much even when its good. We are a family and put a lot into it. We don't want to go out there and lose. it is a team effort and we have to respond as a team
- Regional Projections
- No worried at all. Focus on one game at a time. Play Baylor and then whomever after that. We don't care where we go, just want to play.
- On pitching struggles
- No pressure. A lot more times where we have not hit and they have picked us up. Just have to do whatever it takes to win the game.
Finally - nothing to do with Baylor, but just want to again give a tip of the cap to Air Force and their program. Absolutely first class and staying behind to listen to the Eyes of Texas was superb.
