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TEXAS (41-17, 14-10) v Oklahoma State (38-19, 15-9)
May 28, 2022
Where: Globe Life Field
Time: Saturday 9am & Saturday 4pm (if necessary)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: 104.9 FM The Horn/1260 AM
Big 12 Championship Titles (Last): 5 (2015)
ONE. The Texas Longhorns despite the trials and tribulations of the season are one win away from playing for the Big 12 Conference Tournament title. While that may not mean much to some and usually the Big 12 Tournament does not mean all that much, this year it does. With the past two games over Oklahoma State and TCU, the Horns have squarely put themselves into position as a Regional Host. In fact, in talking to some of the well known baseball media folks, if Texas were to win the Big 12 Conference Tourney, they would have the resume and RPI to potentially grab a Top 8 host. Before all that though, there is a game or possibly two games against a familiar foe, Oklahoma State. The Pokes eliminated Baylor on Thursday and then eliminated regular season champion TCU earlier this evening, setting up a re-match of Wednesday's opening game of the Big 12 Conference Tourney with Texas. During the first game, Texas got an absolute gem of a game from Pete Hansen and got enough offense in the 6th, 7th and 9th innings to win 4-0. Both fan bases should expect more runs to occur on Saturday morning as neither side will be throwing out their best arms. The Pokes have hit the ball very very well the last two games, including some monster home runs by Doersching, while the Texas offense hasn't truly gotten out of first gear yet in the first two games, albeit against two very good pitching staffs who utilized a devastating slider to great effect. At all costs though, Texas has to find a way to win Saturday morning and avoid a do or die game against Oklahoma State on Saturday late afternoon.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Texas - RHP Zane Morehouse (3-0, 4.50 ERA)
Ok State - TBD (My best guess is that it will be Trevor Martin (3-3, 4.85 ERA) or Dillon Marsh (1-0, 3.98 ERA)
The good news for Texas is that they will not face Mederos, Campbell or even the top bullpen arm Phansalkar. The Pokes will definitely have McLean, Morrill, Bogusz and likely Kale Davis as well, so they are not depleted yet, but if Texas wants to win, they need to be aggressive and attack.
Now, what most people care about more so - projections.
As of this morning, Texas is currently projected as the 11th seed overall which is paired up with the 6 over seed (Texas A&M). A&M continues to win in the SEC tournament and they could likely surpass Maryland for the 5 overall seed, while Texas if they are able to beat Oklahoma State should be able to get as high as a 9 overall seed. IF Texas were to find a way to win the Big 12 Tourney, you could see Texas sneak in and steal the 8 overall seed. The current RPI for Texas is 11, which is down 2 since yesterday due to other teams moving up so much, namely UNC and Wake. There is a lot of baseball to be played, but Texas fans should feel very good about where things currently sit going into a pivotal Saturday morning game against Oklahoma State.
I will have more to follow later tonight as I continue to watch as much baseball from all the tourneys and start piecing together a rough Top 8 and Top 16 late tonight.
