Burnt Orange Nation, a Texas Longhorns community

The first step on the way to Omaha is designed to be the easiest, especially for a team with the second overall seed in the tournament. However, after the performance by the Longhorns in Oklahoma City last week, the 11-0 victory against an overmatched Rider squad was heartening to say the least. The mental concentration didn't seem to be there in the Big 12 tournament, but on Friday night at UFCUDFF, Texas scored all 11 runs with two outs and Brandon Workman was dealing from the rubber, going the distance for his second shutout of the season. Brandon Loy returned from injury to spark the offense with a 3-3 performance (reaching base in all four at-bats) and Cameron Rupp, Jordan Etier, and Russell Moldenhauer all left the park. Texas will take on Louisiana-Lafayette at 6:30 Saturday, with the winner to advance to the Sunday championship game.