For the fifth time in eight days, the Texas Longhorns will face off against the Baylor Bears. This time, there's a Big 12 Tournament championship game berth on the line, with the first pitch scheduled for 9 a.m. CT in Tulsa on FOX College Sports.
Since the Bears had to emerge from the loser's bracket after falling to the Horns on Thursday in walk-off fashion, Baylor must win both games in order to avoid elimination.
So following a day off, Texas has a major advantage, especially because head coach Augie Garrido has only used two pitchers so far with Parker French and Ty Culbreth both pitching complete games. Meanwhile, the Baylor has already played three games in three games, stretching a pitching staff that lacks the depth enjoyed by Texas.
The Horns will likely start freshman Connor Mayes, who pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief last Saturday against the Bears, giving up four hits and one unearned run. A Lake Travis product, Mayes has a 1.11 WHIP and a 2.67 ERA, along with two saves.
Time to take care of business against a Bears squad that has won only seven of 26 games away from the friendly confines Baylor ballpark. If Texas doesn't win the morning tilt, the elimination game will start at 4:00 p.m. CT.