GAME THREAD: Texas vs Houston Christian

[Sirhornsalot]

Earlier this season, Texas defeated Houston Christian 12-2 in what was a run-rule victory.

Texas scored 9 runs in the first two innings, including a 6-run second inning. The Longhorns' Ethan Mendoza led the scoring with 3 hits and 5 RBIs.

Texas Longhorns are No. 2 seed in NCAA baseball and open against Houston Christian​

AUSTIN — For a program that is making its 64th appearance in the NCAA baseball tournament, it’s somewhat of a surprise that the Texas Longhorns haven’t hosted an NCAA regional since 2022.

That’s only part of the subtext behind Texas’ decision about this time last year to part ways with coach David Pierce and hire Jim Schlossnagle away from Texas A&M.

The road to Omaha and the College World Series will go through Austin after the Longhorns earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA baseball tournament and will host a regional with a Texas twist.

Texas, hosting a regional for the first time since 2022, will open against Houston Christian at 1 p.m. on Friday. The Huskies (32-23) are making their first NCAA appearance since 2015. The Longhorns (42-12) won the SEC regular season title but lost in the conference tournament to Tennessee.

UTSA (44-13) faces Kansas State (31-24) at 6 p.m. on Friday in the other game in the Austin regional.

TCU, which lost to Arizona in the title game of the Big 12 tournament, and Dallas Baptist are the other two schools from the state to make the field.

TCU (39-18) will face USC (35-21) at 2 p.m. Friday in the Corvallis, Ore., region where No. 8 national seed Oregon State faces St. Mary’s.

Dallas Baptist (40-16) will be in Baton Rouge, La., against Rhode Island (38-20) at 6:30 p.m. Friday in a regional hosted by No. 6 national seed LSU, which opens with Little Rock.

The one team from the state not in the field is Texas A&M. The Aggies, who were the preseason No. 1 and reached last year’s title game, finished at 30-26 and 11-19 in the SEC. A&M won twice in the SEC tournament but it wasn’t enough.

Texas Longhorns are No. 2 seed in NCAA baseball and open against Houston Christian

AUSTIN — For a program that is making its 64th appearance in the NCAA baseball tournament, it’s somewhat of a surprise that the Texas Longhorns haven’t hosted an NCAA regional

www.victoriaadvocate.com

 

[BWilk55]

Texas is going with Ethan Walker as the starter. This explains the changes Schloss made for the SEC tourney. He wanted "bullpen" arms for the opening game against the 4 seed and save Ruger and Harrison for games 2 and 3.

 

[david ficken]

On the radio we have Craig and Roger.
On ESPN+ : Keith and someone named Victor Rojas.

Johan Williams is in LF. Will have to see how long Williams plays due to the hamstring.

The batter's eye is only 6 to 8 ft high. So, instead of the CF wall being around 28 ft high it's closer to 20 to 22 ft high.

 

[david ficken]

Walker only needs around 6 pitches to get thru the top of the 1st.

 

[david ficken]

Bottom of the 1st,
Mendoza HBP, Galvan walks. Belyeu groundout. Moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Schluessler lines up. Mendoza tags up but thrown out at home.

After 1 complete no score.

 

[david ficken]

Walker only goes 1 and 2/3 innings. Runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs with Saunier coming in to pitch for Texas.

 

[david ficken]

Saunier gets a pop out to 2nd to end the inning. 2 infield single only given up by Walker.

 

[david ficken]

After 2 complete no score

 

[david ficken]

Top of the 3rd,
Saunier start with a HBP. That 8s our 91 HBP by out pitchers. Sac. bunt to get the runner to 2nd. Then strikeout. Groundout to end the top of the 3rd.

 

[david ficken]

Bottom of the 3rd,
Gasparino leads off with a 4 pitch walk. Gasparino steals 2nd. William beats out a high chopper for a infield hit. Gasparino is at 3rd. Runners on the corners with no outs. Mendoza is up. Mendoza with a RBI groundout. Williams to 2nd. Gasparino scores. Williams moves up to 3rd on a groundout by Galvan. Belyeu gets on via an error. Williams scores. Texas leads 2-0. Belyeu steals 2nd. Schluessler strikeout

After 3 complete Texas leads 2-0

 

[david ficken]

Top of the 4th,
Quick 2 outs. Now runners on the corners with 2 outs. RBI double for Houston Christians. Now 2-1 Texas. Still 2 on and 2 outs. Fly out to end to top of the 4th.

 

[david ficken]

Bottom of the 4th,
Flores gets on via an error. 2 outs. Gasparino groundout.

After 4 complete Texas leads 2-1

 

[david ficken]

Saunier gets a 1-2-3 top of the 5th.

BTW, Florida lost to East Carolina 11-6, I believe.

 

[david ficken]

Bottom of the 5th,
The 3rd error by HC, Williams gets on leading off. Williams steals 2nd. Big collision at 2nd.
The 2nd baseman injury for HC is his collarbone area.

Back to play, Mendoza gets a single. Williams to 3rd. Runners on the corners with no outs.

 

[hookemhorb]

Texas is struggling at the plate. Can't buy a hit.

 

[david ficken]

Mendoza steals 2nd. Schluessler gets a 2 run single.

 

[hookemhorb]

A 2 out hit with runners on 2nd & 3rd. Both scored.

 

[hookemhorb]

Back to back hits to double their hits in the game.

 

[hookemhorb]

4 hits in a row and it's 6-1 Texas.

 

[hookemhorb]

All this with 2 outs.