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re: Thursday SEC Baseball
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:00 pm to Captain Crown
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:00 pm to Captain Crown
I am jsut waiting for us to come back down to earth.
It feels like a trap for us with us winning all these close games and Arky on a bit of skid.
It feels like a trap for us with us winning all these close games and Arky on a bit of skid.
1
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:05 pm to Hilonghorn9
quote:
If your pitchers can through strikes and throw them early it’ll be a rough series for us as we aren’t the best hitting team but if your pitchers struggle to throw strikes Texas will make them work and wear out the starters and the bullpen till they see some guys that aren’t as good.
Throwing strikes really isn't the problem for the Arkansas staff. 3rd in the league in K's in SEC play and 1st in the league in K's looking in SEC play. Only allowed 70 BB's in SEC play, which ranks 4th lowest in the league.
Over the last few weeks, the starters just seem to go through this 1-2 inning stretch where they throw meat. Then, shut the opposing team down the rest of the game. The staff has only averaged 3 walks per game in the last 6 losses. So it isnt a control issue. It is just leaving some pitches up here or there that the opponents have jumped on.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:08 pm to Hawgeye
How does the Baum play?
Pitcher friendly ?
Hitter friendly?
Neutral?
Pitcher friendly ?
Hitter friendly?
Neutral?
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:09 pm to BigBro
About time, you need to hire an assistant to make sure this gets done every week.
Today is also baseball day! I've been waiting since Tuesday for today.
Today is also baseball day! I've been waiting since Tuesday for today.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:14 pm to Captain Crown
quote:
Very excited for tonight's matchup! How are both sides feeling?
The Hogs confidence in their pitching staff will be on the rise after facing our lineup..
TBD how our pitching holds up this weekend.
I think the Hogs win the series and possibly sweep.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:45 pm to bigDgator
I forgot hate weekend starts early...
quote:
#1 TEXAS vs. #11 ARKANSAS
May 1-3, 2025
Where: Baum-Walker Stadium
Time: Thursday at 6 p.m.; Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m.
TV: Thursday on ESPN2; Friday on SEC Network; Saturday on SEC Network+
Radio: The Zone AM-1300/103.1 FM
Live stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
THURSDAY – Texas RHP Ruger Riojas (8-1, 2.98 ERA) vs. Arkansas LHP Zach Root (5-3, 4.50 ERA)
FRIDAY – Texas LHP Luke Harrison (4-0, 2.81 ERA) vs. Arkansas RHP Gage Wood (0-0, 4.35 ERA)
SATURDAY – TBA vs. TBA
THE MATCHUP — Longtime conference foes, Texas and Arkansas face off in its first series in league play since 1991. The two sides first met in 1902, but squared off 17 straight seasons as members of the Southwest Conference, beginning in 1974. This weekend marks the Longhorns' first trip to Baum-Walker Stadium since 2018. Across 115 contests, Texas boasts a 76-39 advantage in the all-time series.
SCORCHING START — In its inaugural campaign under head coach Jim Schlossnagle, Texas is off to its best 43-game start in 21 years. The Longhorns' 38-5 ledger is also the best start to a season nationally since Oregon State (39-4) in 2017. After an extra-inning defeat on Opening Day, the Longhorns rattled off 17 straight victories from Feb. 15 - March 16. The 17-game winning streak marked the longest since the program won 21 in a row in 2010. Overall, Texas' five losses have come by a combined 11 runs, dropping three one-run contests.
THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU — For the third straight week, Texas checked in as the consensus No. 1 team in the country. The Longhorns are slotted as the top team nationally in back-to-back-to-back weeks for the first time in three years. Texas climbed the rankings for nine consecutive weeks, as the Longhorns began the year at No. 19, according to D1Baseball.
IT JUST MEANS MORE — Texas is one of three programs to start 19-2 or better since 1996 when the 30-game SEC schedule began, joining 2013 Vanderbilt (19-2) and 2022 Tennessee (19-2). The Longhorns' 19-2 record in SEC action marks their best start to conference play in 15 years. With a sweep over Mississippi State at Dudy Noble Field, Texas became the first SEC team to notch a sweep in the school's first-ever conference road series since 1992. The Longhorns' win over LSU was their first series victory over a top-2 team since March 1-3, 2019. Meanwhile, with a 4-3 walk-off win over Georgia, Texas completed its first sweep against a top-3 opponent since that same weekend with LSU in 2019. The Longhorns are the lone program to have won all seven of their series in SEC play.
NEW ERA, SAME STANDARD — A 24-year head coaching veteran who was twice tabbed National Coach of the Year and led his team to the College World Series seven times, Jim Schlossnagle was named only the sixth Longhorns head baseball coach since 1911. Schlossnagle's six CWS appearances in the last 10 seasons are tied for the most of any coach, while his 50 NCAA Tournament wins during that stretch are the best of any skipper. As of April 30, the ABCA Hall of Famer ranks 10th among winningest active Division I coaches, amassing a 984-460 (.681) record.
OOH, BARRACUDA — After splitting time behind the plate a year ago, Rylan Galvan has solidified himself as Texas' everyday catcher in 2025. Among SEC hitters, Galvan ranks fourth in OPS (1.180), sixth in slugging (.695) and on-base percentage (.485), while checking in seventh in walks (36). The junior tallied 12 home runs in his first 114 at-bats, matching his total from his first two seasons combined. Galvan is averaging a homer once every 10.7 at-bats. The 6-foot, 215-pound backstop posted a 32-game on-base streak from Feb. 25 to April 25, notching a team-high .366 average and 12 blasts across that stretch. In the Longhorns' sweep of No. 3 Georgia, Galvan punctuated the series with a walk-off solo shot to lift the Longhorns to a 4-3 victory. His game-winning swing marked Texas' first walk-off homer since Garret Guillemette on March 26, 2023.
HUM YOU, DV — Left-hander Dylan Volantis has made a name for himself in his freshman campaign. The 6-foot-6, 212-pound hurler's 0.98 ERA leads all SEC hurlers (min. 35 inn.). Volantis has yielded only four earned runs in 36 2/3 innings. The Thousand Oaks, Calif., native has notched a 3-0 ledger with 11 saves, which sits fourth nationally. Over his last 16 outings, Volantis has allowed just two earned runs across 34 2/3 innings. In league play, the rookie has allowed one tally over 21 2/3 frames. Volantis has posted a 1-0 mark with 10 saves, while issuing only three walks and 36 strikeouts across his first 13 SEC appearances. He has been named SEC Freshman of the Week twice since March 24.
WELCOME HOME, DOZA — A lifelong Longhorn fan, second baseman Ethan Mendoza transferred to The Forty Acres after one season at Arizona State. In his first campaign in burnt orange, Mendoza has totaled a .353/.452/.521 slash line. Heading into the series, Mendoza paces Texas in average, runs (44), hits (59), triples (3) and multi-hit performances (21). The 5-foot-10, 185-pound second baseman homered four times in his first 34 at-bats, after hammering only three blasts in 203 at-bats a year ago. Prior to the Longhorns' series against then-No. 2 LSU, Mendoza strung together a 14-game hitting streak, mounting nine multi-hit efforts along the way. During that run, the sophomore hit a team-high .456 with four homers and 15 RBI.
This post was edited on 5/1/25 at 12:48 pm
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:46 pm to Pimphand
quote:
SUPER MAX — One year after emerging as the Longhorns' ace, right-handed pitcher Max Grubbs has shifted into a key bullpen arm for Texas. In 2024, Grubbs made 18 appearances, earning 12 starts in an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention worthy campaign. Across his first 15 outings this season, Grubbs has allowed only six earned runs over 38 2/3 innings. The junior's 1.40 ERA is third among all SEC hurlers (min. 35 inn.), trailing only teammate Dylan Volantis (0.98) and LSU's Zac Cowan (1.13). Grubbs has limited opposing hitters to a .213 average, recording a 6-0 ledger and five saves.
ALL GAS, NO BRAKES — Sophomore Will Gasparino has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with for the Longhorns. Through 43 contests, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound slugger is batting .268 with a co-team-best 12 homers and 45 RBI. During Texas' 4-0 week against Sam Houston and Missouri, the center fielder registered a .533/.588/1.600 slash line, leaving the yard in three of the four wins. In the series opener at Missouri on March 28, Gasparino socked a pair of three-run blasts and drove in eight runs, becoming just the fourth Longhorn with eight RBI in a game since 2008, matching Brandon Belt (2008), Porter Brown (2023) and Eric Kennedy (2023). Following his historic week, Gasparino was named SEC Player of the Week on March 31 and the Dick Howser Trophy National Co-Hitter of the Week on April 1. He registered a 34-game on-base streak from February 28 to April 26. Over that stretch, Gasparino hit nine homers.
SWISS ARMY KNIFE — Right-hander Ruger Riojas' glove says it perfectly: 'SAY WHEN.' Riojas — who joined the program after two years at UTSA — has done a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on the mound. Overall, the 6-foot, 192-pound hurler is 8-1 with a 2.98 ERA over 14 appearances, including six starts. As of April 30, Riojas is tied for sixth nationally in wins. In his six starting nods, the Wimberley, Texas, native has notched a 2.38 ERA across 34 innings. At Missouri, Riojas pitched a career-long seven shutout frames. He faced one batter over the minimum, retiring 16 of the first 17 Tigers. On March 31, he was tabbed SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week.
MUSTACHE YOU A QUESTION — After only making two starts across his first three years at Texas, redshirt junior Luke Harrison has become a stalwart for the Longhorns in the rotation. As a freshman in 2022, Harrison made a team-high 32 appearances, registering a 3.06 ERA and two saves. Over the next two seasons, the left-hander would only pitch in 13 games, missing the 2023 campaign due to injury. This year, Harrison has posted a 4-0 ledger and a 2.81 ERA. As of April 30, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound hurler sits fourth in the SEC in ERA (min. 1.0 IP/G). In 2025, Texas is 10-1 when Harrison draws the start, with its lone loss coming in a 15-inning affair at Kentucky on April 12.
SCHUESS IS LOOSE — Despite growing up an Aggie fan and spending his first year at Texas A&M, graduate student Kimble Schuessler bleeds burnt orange. After playing just three games for the rivals from College Station, Schuessler has become a constant presence in the Longhorns' lineup since 2022. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound slugger has totaled at least a .323 average in all three of his seasons at Texas. As a full-time starter last year, Schuessler mounted a .343/.420/.601 slash line, posting the second-best average on the club. Following a slow start to his final go-around in college baseball, Schuessler has become one of the hottest hitters for the Longhorns as of late. This year, all six of his home runs have come since March 28, highlighted by SEC Co-Player of the Week honors on April 21. Against UTRGV and No. 8 Auburn, Schuessler reached safely in 13 of his 17 plate appearances. As part of his career-week, the first baseman notched a two-homer, eight-RBI performance in Texas' 14-2 run-rule win over the Tigers. Schuessler became just the fifth Longhorn with eight RBI in a game since 2008. Heading into the weekend, the Llano, Texas, native is tied for the fourth-most doubles (15) among all SEC hitters. Over Texas' 10-game winning streak, Schuessler is batting .500 with three home runs and 15 RBI.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK — Third baseman Adrian Rodriguez has burst onto the college baseball scene. Rodriguez left the yard in two of his first three career games, highlighted by a go-ahead solo shot against Louisville in the 10th inning on Opening Day. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound switch hitter began his freshman campaign with an 11-game on-base streak, posting a .404 average over that stretch. At the Las Vegas Classic, Rodriguez was the lone rookie tabbed to the All-Tournament Team.
GOING WITH THE FLO — A consensus All-American a year ago, Jalin Flores cemented himself as one of the best shortstops nationally. Flores paced the Longhorns in doubles (22), RBI (56) and hit by pitches (10), while also tying for the club lead in homers (18), total bases (158), multi-hit games (26). In 2025, Flores ranks second in the SEC in doubles (18), trailing only Florida's Colby Shelton (19). The 6-foot-2, 210-pound slugger is tied for the seventh-most career home runs (32) in program history, matching Danny Peoples (1994-96). Throughout his time at Texas, Flores has had a flair for the dramatic, tallying five grand slams, including the go-ahead shot in the ninth inning at Texas State on April 22.
LONG HAIR, DON'T CARE — Jared Spencer was selected in the 14th round of the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, but elected to transfer to Texas instead. Despite making 59 appearances in three years at Indiana State, Spencer arrived on The Forty Acres with only 11 collegiate starts under his belt. As the Longhorns' ace, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound lefty has staked his claim as one of the top arms in the SEC. Against then-No. 3 Georgia, he struck out a career-high 11 batters in the longest outing during his time as a collegian, tossing 7 2/3 innings. Spencer limited the Bulldogs to a season-low one run on two hits in a 111-pitch effort, becoming the first Longhorn to pitch into the eighth this year.
MAX POWER — Junior Max Belyeu entered 2025 as one of the most prolific hitters in the country. Belyeu brings his big bat back to the heart of Texas' lineup after pacing the club in slugging (.667), OPS (1.090) and multi-RBI performances (15), while matching the team lead in home runs (18). The outfielder totaled a .329 average and drove in 53 RBI, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors last season. This year, Belyeu has reached safely in 23 of his 24 games played, slashing .358/.465/.642 with six homers and 22 RBI. The 2024 Second Team All-American has been sidelined with a thumb injury since March 29.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:47 pm to Pimphand
quote:
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE — Throughout his time as a head coach, Jim Schlossnagle's teams have been touted as some of the best offensive units nationally. At the forefront of their approach, Schlossnagle's clubs have been known for working lengthy at-bats. Over the last four full seasons, Schlossnagle's squad has led the country in pitches per plate appearance. As of April 30, Texas (4.7) paces the nation in that category, checking in ahead of Notre Dame (4.07), and Jacksonville State (4.06).
DOMINATE THE ZONE — Under first-year pitching coach Max Weiner, the Longhorns have adopted the identity of 'Dominate the Zone.' Weiner puts an emphasis on overall strike percentage, winning the 0-0 and 1-1 counts, and maximizing strikeout-to-walk ratio. Across its first 43 games, Texas has thrown 64 percent of its pitches for strikes, while totaling a 59 percent clip in 0-0 counts and a 63 percent mark in 1-1 counts. The Longhorns also boast a 2.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. As a result, Texas has lowered its ERA by nearly two runs. The Longhorns rank second in the country in ERA (3.07) and WHIP (1.16).
TEXAS FIGHT — Heading into the weekend, Texas has notched 18 come-from-behind wins, which marks its most in a season in three years. The Longhorns have tallied five victories trailing after six innings, which is more than double their win total in those situations from 2024. On April 22, Texas overcame a five-run deficit at Texas State, scoring 10 runs over the final three innings. In one-run games, the Longhorns have posted a 7-3 record.
SCORING IN BUNCHES — Texas has shown its ability to put crooked numbers on the scoreboard. The Longhorns scored at least seven runs in an inning on six different occasions over their first 11 contests, highlighted by a season-high nine-spot against Illinois on March 2. Through its first 43 games, has mounted at least five runs in a frame on 13 different instances. Overall, the Longhorns have notched double-digit runs 13 times, tallying six run-rule victories over Ole Miss (Feb. 15), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (March 4), Sam Houston (March 25), Missouri (March 28), Houston Christian (April 10) and Auburn (April 19).
OWN THE DISCH — Since UFCU Disch-Falk Field opened in 1975, Texas has gone 1,653-423-3 (.796) at home thanks in large part to Longhorn Nation. In 2025, Texas has drawn 192,329 fans at home, including a season-best 7,942 fans against Texas A&M on April 25. Across the weekend with the Aggies, the Longhorns set a new three-game series attendance record at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, with 23,680 fans watching Texas' sweep over its rival. With the exception of the 2021 campaign because of limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Longhorns led the Big 12 in attendance for 16 consecutive seasons. Last year, Texas posted the fifth-highest average attendance (7,476) in the country.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT OMAHA — The winningest NCAA Division I college baseball program of all time has become very familiar with the restaurants in Omaha, Neb. Texas holds the record for most appearances in the College World Series (38), most individual CWS games won (88), most overall NCAA Tournament games won (258) and most NCAA Tournament appearances (63). The Longhorns have won six national championships, trailing only USC (12) and LSU (7).
Posted on 5/1/25 at 12:47 pm to Pimphand
It's gonna be loud as hell in Baum
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:08 pm to All Gas No Brakes
quote:
How does the Baum play? Pitcher friendly ? Hitter friendly? Neutral?
Changes daily. May even change mid game. Dimensions suggest hitter friendly down the lines. Most of the time though, the wind is blowing in. I haven’t looked at the forecast for tonight though.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:08 pm to ArHog
quote:
Woods absolutely could if he can keep his pitches down in the zone.
Gage Wood. There is no 's'. Just one stick.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:12 pm to All Gas No Brakes
I know that atmosphere should be great. I know those Arkansas fans have been waiting for this one.
Texas has such a fun club to watch. Eager to see them on the road
Texas has such a fun club to watch. Eager to see them on the road
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:13 pm to BigBro
I always figured on the road you're just trying to get 1 ya know 
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:23 pm to Captain Crown
quote:
Very excited for tonight's matchup! How are both sides feeling?
Hard to say. We’ve dropped our last 3 series, which is the first time we’ve lost 3 in a row since 2016 I believe. On one hand, we lost 2 close games AT Georgia by 1 run each (1 game in extra innings), and have overall outscored our opponents in total runs in 2 of the 3 series we’ve lost. However, on the other hand, our pitching has left a lot to be desired and we haven’t been able to find those clutch at bats when we really need them like we have in years past. The offense is there, it’s just not really been clutch like we need it to be when we need it. I’m hoping we can take 2 of 3 at home this weekend. But not confident we will.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:26 pm to HogPharmer
Pharmer thanks for taking the time to write that up firstly! Horns coming in hot after beating the Ags and Hogs needing a spark at home.
Texas "real" first test on the road they say.
Texas "real" first test on the road they say.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:28 pm to Hawgeye
I think your pitchers will be fine. We aren't a big slugging team. We don't normally string together hits and blow the game open. It's usually just great pitching and then timely hitting. When we have big innings it's walks followed by a timely hits.
Should be fun to watch. Our LF Winfield got hot on Tuesday and Jonah Williams will hopefully be back who is fun to watch.
Should be fun to watch. Our LF Winfield got hot on Tuesday and Jonah Williams will hopefully be back who is fun to watch.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:33 pm to LSUTigresFan
quote:
It's gonna be loud as hell in Baum
Good. Our team needs the pressure.
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:37 pm to Captain Crown
quote:
Texas "real" first test on the road they say.
Pitching usually travels better than bats.. or so it seems..
Since 2021
Texas is 17-4 in home conference series
Texas is 17-3 in road conference series
But we haven't faced a hostile environment like Baum, so who knows.. If we pull this series out of our arse yet again, I don't know what to tell you. We just seem to find a way to win series..
Even last year, I couldn't make sense out of it..
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:45 pm to BigBro
We're doomed.... Going to get swept and aggy will rejoice and pay homage to their swine overlords for doing what they couldn't
Posted on 5/1/25 at 1:50 pm to Pimphand
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