Longhorn Baseball Stays Solid in Game Two
by 40AS on Feb 21, 2009 2:44 PM CST
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PrintTexas took the first of two games against the UIC Flames today in 7 innings behind a 1-hit, 1-run college debut by Taylor Jungmann. This kid ought to excite Texas fans quite a bit.
Brandon Loy got the start at third base for the second day in a row, and Preston Clark served as the DH with Cameron Rupp catching. The other big early-season storyline will be figuring out the outfield; in today's first game, Connor Rowe started in center and was the only outfielder to play all seven innings. Tant Shepherd started in left field and went 1-for-2; Kevin Keyes started in right and went 2-for-4. Tim Maitland and Kyle Lusson finished the game on the outfield corners.
The biggest sign of encouragement, though, has to be the Longhorns' pair of dominant performances to start the season. Texas has taken a couple of weeks to really get going in recent years, so it's great to see this season's squad hit the ground running.
You can watch the second game live courtesy of TexasSports.com.
Update: David Hernandez's two-RBI single in the bottom of the 8th propelled Texas to an exciting 3-1 win in the nightcap. Austin Wood picked up the win in relief, but Cole Green threw 7 innings f 3-hit ball. Illinois-Chicago's Mike Kool pitched a tremendous game as well, effectively shutting the Horns down for 7 innings. He was on the hook for the two runs that scored on Hernandez's game-winner, but reliever Derrick Miramontes actually threw the pitch.
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Fun day
For the second day in a row, I left the Disch satisfied with the results and excited about the future. First, Taylor Jungmann was outstanding in his college debut. He has a hard fastball, and nicely mixed in off speed pitches to keep UIC’s hitters off balance all day.
Second, Brandon Loy again made his case for taking sole possession of third base. He made every play that came his way in the field, bunted for a hit and laid down at least one successful sac bunt (it was a long day, I can’t remember exactly how many he had).
Third, I think this team will eventually score a lot of runs. In the second game today, they only had 3 runs, and squandered several opportunities to score. However, Brandon Belt and Kevin Keyes just about left the yard. Belt’s fell short at the 405 mark in right center, and Keyes had his knocked down by the wind in left center. Keyes, Tant Shepherd, and Cameron Rupp have all hit the ball squarely most every time they’ve stepped to the plate. If the guys at the very top and very bottom of the lineup get on base consistently, these guys will push them across the plate.
The series wraps up tomorrow, hopefully with a Texas win and four game sweep to start the season.
loy
He had at two in the first game alone (one turned into a hit, but who’s counting), and at least two last night.
My question is if Loy’s going to bat 2 and play 3B but Clark is only DHing in the 7th hole, why not get Torres’s bat into the lineup DH at 1, shuffle Clark to 3B and bat Tucker 2nd or play Loy at 2B (or if Loy can play short swap him for Hernandez)? Realizing that, yes, Loy made every play – even on the big hops off the turf – was Clark really that much of a defensive liability last year that it’s just not possible?
This is just a rhetorical question. I know that Augie has forgotten more about baseball than I know.
Augie
I have no doubt that he’ll find the correct lineup combination. You bring up a good point about Torres’ bat. It’s hard to imagine him not seeing significant playing time, even if it’s at DH. Clark wasn’t great last year, so unless he improves significantly, I like Torres’ chances to eventually take over, or at least split time at DH.
As far as where that puts Loy, I think he’s athletic enough to play anywhere and is a real luxury.
by Sweed4Heisman on Feb 21, 2009 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
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