***Series Thread: Louisiana Lafayette vs Texas***

[Jameson McCausland]

Via Texas Sports

No. 21 TEXAS (0-0, 0-0) vs. LOUISIANA (0-0, 0-0) 
February 16-18, 2018

Where: Austin, Texas (UFCU Disch-Falk Field)
Time: Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, Sunday at 1:30 p.m. CT
TV: Longhorn Network
Radio: 104.9 FM The Horn/1260 AM
Live stats: Sidearmstats.com/Texas/Baseball
All-time series: Texas leads, 29-6

 

On the web: http://texassports.com/news/2018/2/15/baseball-preview-no-21-texas-vs-louisiana-feb-16-18.aspx

           
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
FRIDAY—Louisiana RHP Jack Burk vs. Texas RHP Nolan Kingham

SATURDAY— Louisiana RHP Nick Lee vs. Texas RHP Chase Shugart

SUNDAY— Louisiana LHP Hogan Harris vs. Texas RHP Blair Henley

 

GAME NOTES

THE MATCHUP—No. 21 Texas hosts the Ragin’ Cajuns for a three-game series to open the 2018 slate…last season, the Ragin’ Cajuns defeated the Longhorns, 8-1, at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. 

 

A LOOK AT THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS—Louisiana finished 2017 with a 35-21-1 record on the year…the 2018 roster is made up of 18 returning letter-winners, including four starting pitchers…the Ragin’ Cajuns lost four starting position players, including leading hitter Steven Sensley.

 

A LOOK AT THE LONGHORNS—Texas came up a game short of an NCAA Super Regional appearance when it dropped a pair of games at Long Beach State in the NCAA Regional…the Longhorns dropped both games by one run after opening regional play with two wins…Texas lost its leading hitters, Kacy Clemens (.305) and Zane Gurwitz (.305) and starter Morgan Cooper (6-3, 2.32 ERA), but returns Friday night starter Nolan Kingham (10-4, 2.84) and closer Beau Ridgeway (12 saves, 1.89)…shortstop David Hamilton and first baseman Ryan Reynolds return to an infield that helped turn 65 double plays in 2017…the UT defense ranked fourth in the nation last year.

 

NEXT UP—Texas hosts Lamar on Wednesday, February 21, at  6:30 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field before heading to Baton Rouge, La., to take on #16 LSU.

 

IN THE RANKINGS—Texas has been ranked by several publications to open the season: D1Baseball (#21), Baseball America (#14), NCBWA (#21), USA Today Coaches Poll (#20), and Collegiate Baseball (#26). 

 

CROWNING ACCOLADES—Texas RHP Nolan Kingham has received several preseason honors…the junior has been named to the Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list, and to the  NCBWA, Perfect Game/Rawlings, and Collegiate Baseball preseason All-America third teams.

 

RIDGEWAY RECOGNITION—Texas closer Beau Ridgeway was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award preseason watch list and an NCBWA preseason third team All-American.

 

NEW MAKEUP—The Longhorns have a total of 10 new transfers, nine of which from junior colleges…the Horns also have 10 freshman (or redshirt-freshman) on the roster in 2018. 

 

D1BASEBALL POWER RANKINGS—In D1Baseball.com’s Top 100 College Prospects list, the Longhorns’ starting rotation was recognized…Kingham was highest at No. 47, followed by No. 76 Blair Henley, and No. 89 Chase Shugart…Matteo Bocchi, Kody Clemens, Michael McCann, Donny Diaz, and Ryan Reynolds made the “best of the rest” list…in D1’s position power rankings, several Longhorns made the cut: Clemens (3B, #24), Reynolds (1B, #26), David Hamilton (SS, #30), and Austin Todd (OF, #58).

 

DRAFTED— UT had 11 players from the 2017 team taken in the MLB Draft, tied for most in the nation…RHP Morgan Cooper (Dodgers, 2nd round), LHP Nick Kennedy (Rockies, 5th), RHP Kyle Johnston (Nationals, 6th), 2B Bret Boswell (Rockies, 8th), 1B Kacy Clemens (Rockies, 8th), RHP Tyler Schimpf (Giants, 13th), OF Patrick Mathis (Astros, 22nd), RHP Connor Mayes (Royals, 24th), 2B Zane Gurwitz (Angels, 26th), UTIL Travis Jones (Royals, 29th), LHP Jon Malmin (Angels, 31st).

 

STOLEN BASES & THE SNEAKY WHEELS CLUB—Catcher Michael McCann, one half of the Sneaky Wheels Club, returns to the base paths this year while top base-stealer, David Hamilton, who went 14-of-16 in his rookie season, looks to improve upon his thievery. 

 

PRESEASON POLL—In the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll, Texas was selected to finish third behind preseason favorite Texas Tech (61) and TCU (60)…last season, seven of the nine Big 12 teams made the NCAA postseason.

 

YEAR TWO—February 17, 2017, marked David Pierce’s first game at the helm of the Texas Baseball program…Pierce was named head coach on June 29, 2016, when he became just the fifth Longhorn head coach since 1911 (with the exception of the war years of 1943-45 when Blair Cherry was at the helm) and the 13th head coach in 122 years of Texas baseball…Pierce—along with assistant coach Sean Allen, assistant coach Philip Miller and volunteer coach Phil Haig—came to Texas after two years at Tulane and three years at Sam Houston State. 

 

PIERCE TO THE POSTSEASON—Head Coach David Pierce has reached the NCAA postseason in each of his six seasons as a head coach at Texas, Tulane, and Sam Houston State.

 

PRO BALLPARKS—Texas will once again head to Whataburger Field, home of the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks, to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi this year (April 3)…the Longhorns also return to Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters, to take on Texas Southern on April 18.

 

WATCH ‘EM—All but one Texas home game will be broadcast on Longhorn Network this season…the team of Lowell Galindo, Keith Moreland, and Greg Swindell will return to the booth to call the action.

 

HEAR ‘EM—In partnership with IMG-College, Texas games will be broadcast on the Austin Radio Network, primarily on 104.9 The Horn and AM 1260…Craig Way will return for primary play-by-play duties alongside Roger Wallace and, new this season, Quan Cosby, former Texas Football and minor league baseball player. 

[joeywa]

https://twitter.com/joeywa_44/status/964647784291823617

 

[joeywa]

 

[Jameson McCausland]

ULL Catcher Handsome Monica is the early favorite for the MVP of the All-Name Team

[joeywa]

You'll probably notice Pierce doing the random P in the DH slot until the spot comes up in the game. 

[Jameson McCausland]

1 minute ago, joeywa said:

You'll probably notice Pierce doing the random P in the DH slot until the spot comes up in the game. 

Pierce spoke very highly of INF Sam Bertelson of Wednesday. Would not be surprised if he takes over the DH role tonight once the spot in the order comes up.

[joeywa]

Would be a nice lefty stick to put into the box. 

[joeywa]

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Let the season begin!

[Jameson McCausland]

Nolan Kingham's first pitch misses high and the season has begun

[Jameson McCausland]

Good work by Kingham to strand the leadoff single. Texas heading to bat.

[TB14]

Great start David!!!!

[Jameson McCausland]

Not a bad way to start the season. Hamilton sends the first pitch he sees off the RF wall for a triple.

[TB14]

What’s the benefit of Shugart in the lineup?

[Jameson McCausland]

Just now, TB14 said:

What’s the benefit of Shugart in the lineup?

Gives Texas options once that spot in the order comes up. If they want to bunt, they can pinch hit a bunter. It gives them flexibility depending on the situation.

[Jameson McCausland]

Clemens draws a walk and Texas has runners on the corners with 1 out. Austin Todd up.

[Jameson McCausland]

Todd goes down swinging. Tate Shaw up. Texas trying not to waste a leadoff triple to start the inning

 

[Jameson McCausland]

Shaw pops up and Texas waste a golden opportunity. 0-0 heading to the second.

[Jameson McCausland]

1 out double by Tyler Stover gives ULL a runner in scoring position.

[Jameson McCausland]

Kingham with a big strikeout. 2 away.

[Jameson McCausland]

A groundout to Hamilton ends the inning. Heading to the Bottom of the 2nd still scoreless.

[Jameson McCausland]

Reynolds take a 2 out HBP to give the Longhorns a base runner in the 2nd. 

[Jameson McCausland]

Ellis goes down swinging. Heading to the 3rd at 0-0.

[Jameson McCausland]

Kingham sitting 90-92 with the fastball tonight.

[Jameson McCausland]

As I say that, Kingham cranks it up to 96 for the swinging strikeout. Texas coming to bat.