HERE WE ARE! The second season is finally upon us as Augie used to say. Big 12 conference play opens on Friday against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Horns enter conference play with a record of 18-5, while Texas Tech sport a similar record of 18-4. On paper, this is one of the weaker hitting teams that Tadlock has had in Lubbock, but it would be foolish to doubt a Tadlock coached team when it comes to hitting. The Red Raiders come into the game having played some tough games (1x Auburn, 1x Arizona and 2x Mississippi State, but the Horns represent the biggest challenge at this point in the season. On paper, both teams are fairly similar in the fact that they are not huge home run hitters, but there is plenty of power in the lineup to go deep and they both hit at a decent clip. Most of the Tech pitching that help win the series in Austin last year has moved on (Micah Dallas to A&M and Levi Wells to Texas State), while they lost a number of key pieces to the draft. Tech does have ace Brandon Birdsell back this year after missing most of last season with a rotator cuff injury and he is definitely a guy that can give opposing teams like Texas fits. He is a hard throwing righty with good power and tilt and he boasts a nice K/BB ratio as to show for it. On the hitting side, it all begins with Jace Jung who Pierce stated he wouldn't be sad when the Jung family stops playing ball at Tech. He is the best player in the Big 12 and a future first round draft pick. Two other hitters to watch out for are Parker Kelly (6 HRs) and Owen Washburn (.355), while A&M transfer Ty Coleman has come on strong recently for the Red Raiders and has been hitting at a very nice clip. In the event the game is close at the end, Tech will likely roll out their freshman closer Trendan Parish (5 saves) who has been excellent on the year and really shored up the back end of the pen for the Red Raiders. In all, it should be an excellent series between two evenly matched teams that will be fighting for the Big 12 crown and a Top 8 seed at the end of the year.
Today at media availability, it was interesting to hear Silas mention the he, Trey Faltine and Pete Hansen have never been to Lubbock before due to the 2020 shortened covid season. Pierce stated that he is not worried about how the Horns will fare against what is sure to be a hostile crowd this weekend as the reason they schedule early season road tests it to help prepare them for these kinds of games. Coach Pierce also stated that this squad really feeds off that energy and have a mentality of "us against the world" and that there will be no backing down from it. Pierce did say that it can be a distraction, but it is us to the staff and team to ensure that they focus on themselves and continue to trust the process. Coach Pierce did mention that during the South Carolina series, the Horns got away from who they are and got caught up in it a little bit. Everyone knows how that turned out, but in my opinion I think that was a great lesson for this squad and one they can build upon to know how it will be and the proper way to react going forward.
The key to the series for Texas as @AaronLittleOB and I discussed on our weekly show (check us out on the OB youtube channel) is that Stevens, Hansen and Gordon MUST pitch in control and keep their pitches down low. A ground ball has never left the park joked Pierce and Hansen today during media availability. Tech's field plays fairly small and also benefits from some gusty winds blowing out, but Pierce quipped that the Horns do not see it as a disadvantage but an opportunity for the Texas hitters to provide the starters a run advantage.
Predictions:
Texas wins the series 2-1. I think that Texas will take the first game because of Hansen being able to execute and keep the Tech hitters off balance. In addition, I think Texas hitters will stay patient and get Morris out of the game early to really attach the Tech bullpen. On Saturday, I think Tech will likely win because of the ability for Birdsell to throw strikes and keep the Texas hitters out of rhythm. The deciding game will be the Cali show down between Gordon and Molina and I like the ability for Texas hitters to get at Molina who has had some freshman moments this year, despite the face that they have not seen a lot of left handed pitchers this year.
@AaronLittleOB during the show today went in the opposite direction and is giving the benefit of home field advantage to Tech and believes that Texas will drop the series 2-1, which if you look at the ELO projections and data, is a smart pick.
Other Notes:
On Gordon as the Sunday Starter: Coach Pierce stated that based on Gordon's performance on Sunday, he has earned the right to start on Sunday and that he has been very impressed with the way in which Gordon has made that switch from bullpen to starter and really settled on how he needs to plan week to week. Pierce said that the biggest thing for Gordon is to continue to be able to mix in his pitches and not live and die on the fastball.
On Skyler's Improvement: Coach Pierce said that in many ways, Skyler is very similar to Antico last year where it was an older guy who has an experienced bat pressing a little bit too much at the beginning of the year and feeling like he has to make an instant contribution to fit in. Pierce went on to say that Skyler has an incredible work ethic and is extremely coachable, while noting that Skyler's character has really shown through during the early part of the season. Quoting Pierce, "He [Skyler] is at peace right now". Skyler himself noted that he has spent a lot of time cleaning up things with Tulo and Coach Miller, but that he has trusted the process and just works to get better each day. Hansen stated that it has been fun to see as he is suddenly hitting .315 out of no where. Pete did say that they knew the hitting would come at some point because he is an experienced guy with a track record of hitting the ball well.
Hansen on Murph Madness: "He owned my ass a little bit" stated Pete Hansen when remarking about Murphy Stehly in the fall. Pete went on to say that he tried pitching backwards to Murph and he jumped on my off speed stuff. Hansen went on to say that Murph and Cam Williams were in the cages every day and night working on their swing. Hansen also noted that Murph is a guy that wants it and he is very tough to get out, but not surprised at all that he is killing it based on his work ethic, which Pierce has also noted before as being exceptional.
On Aaron Nixon's struggles: Coach Pierce said that Nixon has been good in not giving up any runs and his numbers have been good, but he hasn't been sharp. Nixon has been living and dying on the slider and the goal is to continue working on his fastball command. Sounds very simple, but getting his mechanics and arm path together has been the problem, but Coach Allen and Nixon have been spending a lot of time on it. Coach Pierce did admit though that it is a concern.
On Tanner Witt: Witt is scheduled to have his surgery on March 28th. They looked at moving it forward, but that is the time set right now.
On Austin Todd: Coach Pierce stated that Todd has been working with Tom (head trainer) and has been doing front toss and t work with no pain. Todd has been progressing much faster than they thought, but still unsure if he is able to cut loose and throw. Pierce stated that the goal is to get Todd able to hit and that it is doubtful that we ever see Todd in the outfield. My opinion is that if Todd can get back to hitting, that would be a huge boost to the Texas lineup as Todd (.286) could be counted on to come in as a DH and provide some veteran at bats.
Side note: Texas has historically fared very well in Lubbock, I believe winning the last 6 series played there.
#2 TEXAS (18-5) at #16 Texas Tech (18-4)
March 25-27, 2022
Where: Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park (Lubbock)
Time: Friday at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Pitching Matchups:
Fri – Texas LHP R-So. Pete Hansen 4-0, 2.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 28 IP, 25 H, 8 R, 6 BB, 33 SO, .245 B/Avg
Fri – Texas Tech RHP Jr Andrew Morris 2-0, 4.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 9 BB, 32 SO, .244 B/Avg
Sat – Texas RHP Sr Tristan Stevens 4-1, 1.17 ERA, .95 WHIP, 30.2 IP, 26 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 19 SO, .230 B/Avg
Sat – Texas Tech Jr RHP Brandon Birdsell 3-1, 1.80 ERA, .92 WHIP, 25 IP, 6 R, 8 BB, 43 SO, .169 B/Avg
Sun – So LHP Lucas Gordon 1-1, 1.61 ERA, .94 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 6 BB, 14 SO, .185 B/Avg
Sun – Fr LHP Mason Molina 1-2, 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 20 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 14 BB, 27 SO, .152 B/Avg
Other Stats:
Texas RPI: 4
Tech RPI: 18
Texas SOS: 23
Tech SOS: 84
Texas BA: .306
Tech BA: .290
Texas OPS: .909
Tech OPS: .879
Texas Hits: 244
Tech Hits: 222
Texas HRs: 29
Tech HRs: 25
Texas ERA: 2.63
Tech ERA: 3.90
Texas WHIP: 1.15
Tech WHIP: 1.16
Today at media availability, it was interesting to hear Silas mention the he, Trey Faltine and Pete Hansen have never been to Lubbock before due to the 2020 shortened covid season. Pierce stated that he is not worried about how the Horns will fare against what is sure to be a hostile crowd this weekend as the reason they schedule early season road tests it to help prepare them for these kinds of games. Coach Pierce also stated that this squad really feeds off that energy and have a mentality of "us against the world" and that there will be no backing down from it. Pierce did say that it can be a distraction, but it is us to the staff and team to ensure that they focus on themselves and continue to trust the process. Coach Pierce did mention that during the South Carolina series, the Horns got away from who they are and got caught up in it a little bit. Everyone knows how that turned out, but in my opinion I think that was a great lesson for this squad and one they can build upon to know how it will be and the proper way to react going forward.
The key to the series for Texas as @AaronLittleOB and I discussed on our weekly show (check us out on the OB youtube channel) is that Stevens, Hansen and Gordon MUST pitch in control and keep their pitches down low. A ground ball has never left the park joked Pierce and Hansen today during media availability. Tech's field plays fairly small and also benefits from some gusty winds blowing out, but Pierce quipped that the Horns do not see it as a disadvantage but an opportunity for the Texas hitters to provide the starters a run advantage.
Predictions:
Texas wins the series 2-1. I think that Texas will take the first game because of Hansen being able to execute and keep the Tech hitters off balance. In addition, I think Texas hitters will stay patient and get Morris out of the game early to really attach the Tech bullpen. On Saturday, I think Tech will likely win because of the ability for Birdsell to throw strikes and keep the Texas hitters out of rhythm. The deciding game will be the Cali show down between Gordon and Molina and I like the ability for Texas hitters to get at Molina who has had some freshman moments this year, despite the face that they have not seen a lot of left handed pitchers this year.
@AaronLittleOB during the show today went in the opposite direction and is giving the benefit of home field advantage to Tech and believes that Texas will drop the series 2-1, which if you look at the ELO projections and data, is a smart pick.
Other Notes:
On Gordon as the Sunday Starter: Coach Pierce stated that based on Gordon's performance on Sunday, he has earned the right to start on Sunday and that he has been very impressed with the way in which Gordon has made that switch from bullpen to starter and really settled on how he needs to plan week to week. Pierce said that the biggest thing for Gordon is to continue to be able to mix in his pitches and not live and die on the fastball.
On Skyler's Improvement: Coach Pierce said that in many ways, Skyler is very similar to Antico last year where it was an older guy who has an experienced bat pressing a little bit too much at the beginning of the year and feeling like he has to make an instant contribution to fit in. Pierce went on to say that Skyler has an incredible work ethic and is extremely coachable, while noting that Skyler's character has really shown through during the early part of the season. Quoting Pierce, "He [Skyler] is at peace right now". Skyler himself noted that he has spent a lot of time cleaning up things with Tulo and Coach Miller, but that he has trusted the process and just works to get better each day. Hansen stated that it has been fun to see as he is suddenly hitting .315 out of no where. Pete did say that they knew the hitting would come at some point because he is an experienced guy with a track record of hitting the ball well.
Hansen on Murph Madness: "He owned my ass a little bit" stated Pete Hansen when remarking about Murphy Stehly in the fall. Pete went on to say that he tried pitching backwards to Murph and he jumped on my off speed stuff. Hansen went on to say that Murph and Cam Williams were in the cages every day and night working on their swing. Hansen also noted that Murph is a guy that wants it and he is very tough to get out, but not surprised at all that he is killing it based on his work ethic, which Pierce has also noted before as being exceptional.
On Aaron Nixon's struggles: Coach Pierce said that Nixon has been good in not giving up any runs and his numbers have been good, but he hasn't been sharp. Nixon has been living and dying on the slider and the goal is to continue working on his fastball command. Sounds very simple, but getting his mechanics and arm path together has been the problem, but Coach Allen and Nixon have been spending a lot of time on it. Coach Pierce did admit though that it is a concern.
On Tanner Witt: Witt is scheduled to have his surgery on March 28th. They looked at moving it forward, but that is the time set right now.
On Austin Todd: Coach Pierce stated that Todd has been working with Tom (head trainer) and has been doing front toss and t work with no pain. Todd has been progressing much faster than they thought, but still unsure if he is able to cut loose and throw. Pierce stated that the goal is to get Todd able to hit and that it is doubtful that we ever see Todd in the outfield. My opinion is that if Todd can get back to hitting, that would be a huge boost to the Texas lineup as Todd (.286) could be counted on to come in as a DH and provide some veteran at bats.
Side note: Texas has historically fared very well in Lubbock, I believe winning the last 6 series played there.
#2 TEXAS (18-5) at #16 Texas Tech (18-4)
March 25-27, 2022
Where: Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park (Lubbock)
Time: Friday at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Pitching Matchups:
Fri – Texas LHP R-So. Pete Hansen 4-0, 2.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 28 IP, 25 H, 8 R, 6 BB, 33 SO, .245 B/Avg
Fri – Texas Tech RHP Jr Andrew Morris 2-0, 4.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 9 BB, 32 SO, .244 B/Avg
Sat – Texas RHP Sr Tristan Stevens 4-1, 1.17 ERA, .95 WHIP, 30.2 IP, 26 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 19 SO, .230 B/Avg
Sat – Texas Tech Jr RHP Brandon Birdsell 3-1, 1.80 ERA, .92 WHIP, 25 IP, 6 R, 8 BB, 43 SO, .169 B/Avg
Sun – So LHP Lucas Gordon 1-1, 1.61 ERA, .94 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 6 BB, 14 SO, .185 B/Avg
Sun – Fr LHP Mason Molina 1-2, 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 20 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 14 BB, 27 SO, .152 B/Avg
Other Stats:
Texas RPI: 4
Tech RPI: 18
Texas SOS: 23
Tech SOS: 84
Texas BA: .306
Tech BA: .290
Texas OPS: .909
Tech OPS: .879
Texas Hits: 244
Tech Hits: 222
Texas HRs: 29
Tech HRs: 25
Texas ERA: 2.63
Tech ERA: 3.90
Texas WHIP: 1.15
Tech WHIP: 1.16
