Scouting Report: Texas Longhorns

Texas coach Augie Garrido likes to joke about how his team’s fans have a low tolerance for losing, but he knew full well that three years of not finishing the season in Omaha was wearing thin in Austin.

Much was expected of this team and, for the most part, it’s produced. There have been a few stumbles, like getting swept at Kansas on the opening week of conference play and losing two and tying a third against Kansas State. But this is a team that has lost just three games since May 1. This is a Texas team that knows how to win, even though its methods might sometimes be a bit unorthodox.

The Longhorns might not have a lineup filled with hitters who strike fear in opposing pitchers but don’t question their ability to come through in the clutch. Just about every Longhorn hitter has produced a memorable moment during NCAA tournament play. No. 9 hitter Connor Rowe hadn’t homered in more than a month before he beat Arizona State with one on Friday. Michael Torres had hit two homers during the regular season but now has three in the tournament.

The long ball, though, is not a major part of Texas’ game. Get ’em on, move ’em over and get them in is the Longhorns’ creed. No team in the nation has more sacrifice bunts than Texas. Shortstop Brandon Loy’s 25 sacrifices are one short of LSU’s team total.

Loy’s move to shortstop 18 games into the season solidified the infield defense. Catcher Cameron Rupp, second baseman Travis Tucker, Loy and Rowe give Texas strength up the middle. Texas had committed zero or one errors in 51 of 61 games prior to arriving in Omaha. It’s been a little sloppy at times here but still good enough to make the tough plays look easy.

Skill on the hill, which many Texans think that the Longhorns invented, is the trademark of this team. Chance Ruffin and Austin Wood were first-team All-Big 12 performers, Cole Green is a bulldog and Taylor Jungmann is a first-round draft pick in waiting. They are so dependable that Brandon Workman, who threw a no-hitter during the season and would be the top starter on many teams, has yet to sniff the mound at Rosenblatt.

Then there’s Garrido, the 41-year coaching veteran who has seen it all. He downplays his impact on games, saying it’s the players who get the hits and make the pitches. The players say it’s easier to do those things knowing that the guy in charge brings expertise and Cool-Hand-Luke steadiness to the equation.

Texas will win if: The Longhorns keep getting the pitching and clutch hitting that have helped them overcome some uncharacteristic defensive lapses. Texas came into the CWS fourth nationally in fielding percentage but has committed seven errors at Rosenblatt. The players attribute some of the problems to nerves, but the championship finals are no place for stage fright.

— Steven Pivovar

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