Longhorns Look to Extend Winning Streak Against New Orleans

The Longhorns have been dominant at home and will look to keep it rolling against the Privateers this weekend.

When the Texas Longhorns dropped a weekend series to the Cal State Fullerton Titans to drop to 4-7 on the season, tendrils of panic begin to creep in for some fans. After all, replacing seven starters is never easy.

Now, though, the Longhorns have played half of their 14-game home stand and look like an entirely different team. They have reeled off seven straight wins at home, putting up at least seven runs in every single game. 

The pitching staff has continued to be lights out, with a Big 12 best team ERA of 3.11 through 18 games. With the pitching staff continuing to improve, and the offense rounding into form, this Texas team is picking up momentum as they approach conference play. 

However, they must turn their sight to a three-game weekend series with the New Orleans Privateers - a series that will be far from easy and one Texas cannot take lightly. 

How to watch/listen: 

Game 1 - Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/audio)

Game 2 - Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/audio)

Game 3 - Sunday at 1 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/audio)

A look at New Orleans' season so far

The Privateers enter the series against Texas with a winning record themselves, sporting an 11-6 record through 16 games. They boast a potent offense, with a team average of .310 and four players batting above .340 - oh, and they've scored 149 runs so far. 

New Orleans by the numbers

Record - 11-6

Runs scored - 149

Runs allowed - 104

Team Avg. - .310

Team ERA - 5.98

New Orleans wins this series if...

Their bats stay hot and can bring the Longhorns pitching staff back to earth after a hot start. No, the Privateers haven't faced stiff competition to date but putting up 149 runs in just 17 games is impressive, especially when you can boast a 35-3 win in the process. If they can rattle the Texas pitchers, they have a good chance to pull out the series win.

Texas wins this series if...

They can continue the momentum from their seven-game winning streak and stay firing on all cylinders. The Privateers pitching staff aren't world beaters by any means and the Longhorns will look to take advantage of it. They've scored seven runs or more in seven straight games, and if they can keep that up the winning streak may very well reach 10 games. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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