Number 16 Oklahoma is in town for a three game series starting tonight. At 4-5 in conference the Horns need a big weekend to stay relevant in the Big XII and continue to chase an outside shot at making a regional. Game tonight is on FS1 and weekend games are on LHN. Preview from texassports: http://www.texassports.com/news/2017/4/6/baseball-preview-vs-no-16-oklahoma-april-7-9.aspx
Horns take series opener 5-3 as Kingham continues to be the ace of the staff. Horns pull to 5-5 in conference and have chance to win this huge series tomorrow.
Texas baseball over the last 11 games...9 wins (8 by multiple runs), 2 one-run losses, 6-2 in conference play. That's pretty good baseball, Folks. Been saying it all season, come May when the parts fit together this is going to be a team to be reckoned with. A sweep today is HUGE for a few reasons. Would strongly boost conference standing and rpi. But also we need Kyle Johnston to return to 2015 form (40.2 inn, 2.21 era, .170 oba) and solve the costly Sunday starter problem. If we can situate the 3rd starter role in capable hands, our 1-4 starting rotation will be well positioned for success in tournament formats. Kingham, Cooper, Johnston (if he becomes reliable), and Kennedy would be a stout group to face.
Too many strikeouts today. 6 losses in conference, and 4 of them by scores of 2-1. So close, but can't seem to get over the hump.
Even with the loss today, the Horns take huge series over Sooners and stand now at 22-13, 6-6 in conference. They need to find a way to win on the road and if they can they have a real shot at a tournament berth.
Incidentally, at 22 wins, this team has already equaled last years regular season win total (they won 25 but 3 were in the Big XII tourny). With 20 games still on the regular season schedule plus the Big XII tourny and maybe more they will far outpace last season. So while there are some frustrating things still to be addressed there has demonstrably been a lot of progress.
