Longhorns Baseball 2023 Schedule Breakdown: Can Texas Handle A Favorable May?

As the Longhorns enter the last month of the regular season, they may find themselves contending for a national seed and a regional host site.

We are officially two weeks away from the start of college baseball season, and the Texas Longhorns will start their season in Arlington in the College Baseball Showdown. 

The Longhorns enter the 2023 season with moderate expectations due to a roster that is young and looking to replace seven of nine starters from last season. They do have the talent but it could be rough sledding at first this season. 

Right out of the gate they face three Top 10 teams in February, which will test this Texas team. However, from there March and April on paper offer a much easier schedule. 

That just leaves us with May, which again on paper appears to be a much easier schedule for Texas to manage and set themselves up for a potential NCAA Tournament berth. 

May 5-7 - @ Kansas Jayhawks

2022 record - 20-35 (4-20)

2022 RPI - 157

2022 Team Avg. - .270

2022 Team ERA - 7.96

2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament

Player to watch - INF Michael Brooks 

There is no way to sugarcoat it, the Jayhawks were a bad baseball team last season. Now, as they look to rebuild and get back to contending in conference play, they welcome a host of transfers to do so. One transfer to keep an eye on is Michael Brooks from UCF, who slashed .256/.380/.432 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs, and will likely man the hot corner for Kansas. 

May 9 - UT Arlington Mavericks

2022 record - 15-39 

2022 RPI - 252

2022 Team Avg. - .248

2022 Team ERA - 6.37

2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament

Player to watch - OF Zach Henry

There was not a lot to write home about in terms of offense for the Mavericks last season, but outfielder Zach Henry was a lone brightspot. Henry led the Mavericks in most offensive categories with a .303/.451/.455 slash line while launching four home runs, all of which were a team-high. 

May 12-14 - San Jose State Spartans

2022 record - 30-29

2022 RPI - 168

2022 Team Avg. - .285

2022 Team ERA - 6.92

2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament

Player to watch - OF Robert Hamchuck

The Spartans were not lacking for talent last season, especially in their lineup. They return a good portion of that talent in 2023, with leading hitter outfield Robert Hamchuck leading the way. He slashed .378/.437/.582 with 10 home runs and 39 runs driven in. 

May 18-20 - West Virginia Mountaineers

2022 record - 33-22 (14-10 Big 12)

2022 RPI - 48

2022 Team Avg. - .269

2022 Team ERA - 5.14

2022 outcome - Missed NCAA Tournament

Player to watch - P Ben Hampton

The Mountaineers came up just short of an NCAA Tournament bid last season, and will look to bounce back in 2023. A big step in the right direction will be getting back on track pitching, which Ben Hampton will help do. He finished last season as West Virginia's best pitcher, sporting an 8-5 record and 4.66 ERA in 83 innings of work.

What to expect in May

The Longhorns are on the road only once in May, and it is against what could be the worst team in the Big 12. After that, they finish their season with seven straight home games. At this point they could be playing to secure a national seed and an Austin Regional, which a favorable May schedule could help with.

---

You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

Want to see the Horns in action? Get your Texas Longhorns game tickets from SI Tickets here!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.

Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.