Texas 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.