Texas hosts Cal Fullerton in home series

Over the course of a week, Texas Longhorns baseball has been humbled.

After entering the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic last weekend undefeated, the Longhorns went home 1-2, with losses coming at the hands of the LSU Tigers and Missouri Tigers, as well as a win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Then on Tuesday, Texas followed up that performance with yet another loss to the Arizona Wildcats at home.

Which leads to the three-game weekend home series against the Cal Fullerton Titans, who have lost five out of their last six games dating back to Feb. 25 against the USC Trojans. Most recently, Cal Fullerton dropped two in a row to the Arizona State Sun Devils by a combined score of 21-5, though notably, Arizona State has been reliably ranked within college baseball’s top 10. That’s bad, bad, not good for the Titans. Is it good for Texas?

It’s hard to say, given how both programs have a winning history. In fact, both Texas and Cal Fullerton are among the nation’s top 10 winningest programs in NCAA history, and both are among the seven programs that have managed to win at least four or more national titles.

In their 13 games this season, the Longhorns’ pitching arsenal has been one of the team’s strengths. Texas’ starting pitchers have combined for a 2.01 ERA with 74 strikeouts over the course of 67 innings this season, allowing just .198 against their opponents at the plate.

The same could be said for the Longhorns when it comes to their prowess at swinging a bat. Senior outfielder Austin Todd and junior outfielder Duke Ellis lead among Texas players, each with 10 runs scored. Redshirt junior infielder Zach Zubia leads with 19 RBIs.

For the Friday matchup, Texas junior right hander Bryce Elder (2-1, 2.33) is expected to start, while Longhorn batters will face off against junior right hander Tanner Bibee (1-2, 1.93). On Saturday, Texas expects to start sophomore right hander Ty Madden (3-0, 1.71) on the mound, while Cal Fullerton expects to start sophomore right hander Tanner Luckham (2-0, 1.80). And on Sunday, Texas sophomore right hander Coy Cobb (0-0, 2.51) is expected to start, while sophomore right hander Joe Magrisi (0-2, 3.63) will start for the Titans.

First pitch for the Friday matchup is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central; for Saturday, 12 p.m. Central; and for Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Central at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin.

All games will be available on Longhorn Network. Listen in at 104.9 The Horn.