Longhorns Notebook: No. 21 Texas Takes Series Over Kansas State
When the Texas Longhorns entered the season they did so with plenty of questions surrounding just how good this team could and would be. After all, replacing seven starters from a historic offense and a Friday night starter is never easy.
However, through 33 games, nine of which have been conference games, it appears safe to say that the Longhorns didn't have to rebuild following another Omaha trip but rather simply retooled as they sit at 23-10 (6-3).
Following their series win over the Kansas State Wildcats, the Longhorns sit at 6-3 in conference play and sole possession of first place in the Big 12, and would be tied if Kansas takes down West Virginia on Sunday.
It was a series with its share of dramatics, particularly in the first two games, but the Longhorns handled their business in the series finale in an 8-2 victory.
As the Longhorns now get ready to play their fourth game in four days on Monday night against the Texas State Bobcats, here are three key takeaways from their series win over Kansas State.
Clutch hitting continues
The Longhorns have had a penchant all season long for clutch hitting, especially with two outs, a trend that showed up in a big way against the Wildcats - namely in the series opener.
Entering the bottom of the eighth on Friday night, the Longhorns found themselves trailing 5-1 in a game that seemed to be done for. That was not the case, though, as they reeled off a bunt single, three straight doubles, a triple and a sac fly to plate five runs and eventually secure the 6-5 win.
As for the series finale, seven of the eight Longhorns runs came with two outs with the exception being a Porter Brown solo home run with one out. If the Longhorns can continue their clutch hitting as they navigate conference play, they will remain in the hunt for a conference title.
Starting pitching dazzles
Pitching has been the strength of this Texas team all season and that continued over the weekend against Kansas State. Lucas Gordon set the tone in the series opener as he tossed six innings of two-run baseball with nine strikeouts, recovering from a shaky start to keep the Wildcats in check.
Travis Sthele on Saturday and Charlie Hurley on Sunday picked up where Gordon left off as Sthele gave Texas four innings of two-run baseball while Hurley was able to navigate multiple jams to provide five innings of two-run baseball himself.
Altogether, the Longhorns starters this weekend threw 15 innings and only gave up six total earned runs while striking out 21 Kansas State hitters. The pitching has been dominant for the Longhorns all season long, which will only become more crucial the deeper they get into conference play with a chance at a conference title and regional host site.
First place - Texas Longhorns
With just under half of their conference games down, the Texas Longhorns sit in sole possession of first place in the Big 12. Of course, if Kansas wins against West Virginia on Sunday they'll be tied for first in the conference but as it stands they have to like where they sit.
The Longhorns own the best team ERA in the Big 12 by a comfortable margin at 3.32, while the team average is fifth at .282. There are 15 games to go in conference play for Texas and it is in prime position at 6-3 to be a serious contender for a conference title.
After being picked to finish fourth in the preseason projections, which was likely a fair assumption, taking the conference title would be a huge accomplishment. However, they cannot afford to get complacent as there still plenty of baseball left to be played.
What's next for Texas?
With the series being pushed back a day against the Wildcats due to rain on Thursday, the Longhorns are now playing five games in five days. They are right back in action on Monday night as they hit the road to take on the Texas State Bobcats at 6 p.m. CT.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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