Three Takeaways from the Longhorns Season Finale in Omaha

Photo: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

In Sunday’s four-hour affair with the Aggies, the Longhorns simply did not have enough. The pitching and batting really struggled this weekend and as tough as that is to swallow, it is a reality. Here are three key takeaways from the season finale loss to arch-rival Texas A&M at the College World Series in Omaha.

1.  Too many runners left on the bases. Texas left twelve runners on base which is entirely too many regardless of the game, but in Omaha, you will not win that way. The Longhorns went just 2-16 with runners in scoring position. When you have the offense that Texas has, it is tough to imagine the bats going that cold.  But they did, and did so at the absolute worst time possible.

2.  Texas pitching came up short once again. Following Pete Hansen’s underwhelming start Friday night against Notre Dame, Lucas Gordon did the same against the Aggies. He went just 1 2/3 innings which isn't going to cut it. He had a great first inning, retiring the aggies in order using just nine pitches. The second inning was not so kind. Gordon threw 40+ pitches before being yanked in favor of Jared Southard.

3.  Timely hitting was not there for the Longhorns. That really was the difference in this game. Texas A&M got the two-out hits with runners on, while Texas would strikeout or hit into a double play. Not to oversimplify things but often in baseball it comes down to who can get the two-out hits and who cannot. This weekend in Omaha, Texas just could not get those hits and that is a large reason Texas is going home.