The College World Series is set. After a regional round that saw many teams play in monsoon like weather and a Super Regional that saw six of its eight series go to a game three, we finally have our last eight teams standing. Let’s take a look at the schools that have punched their ticket to Omaha. Our fifth team on the list is the Texas Longhorns.
Texas Longhorns (41-21), Regular Season Big 12 Champions, Thirty-Sixth CWS Appearance, Six CWS Titles (1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, 2005)
One of the most successful college baseball programs in the history of the sport, the Texas Longhorns look ready to establish themselves as a national powerhouse yet again. After posting the best conference record in the Big 12, it was a disappointing two games and out in the conference tournament for the burnt orange, but the Longhorns showed their true colors in the NCAA Tournament.
After breezing through the first two games in the regional against in state rivals Texas Southern and Texas A&M, the Longhorns had to grind out a 3-2 win over Indiana to secure the Austin regional. They trailed the Hoosiers until the sixth when they would hang a run on the board before taking the lead in the seventh. That was all the Longhorns would need. Indiana did threaten in the ninth until Chase Shugart came in to strikeout two batters and shut things down.
The Austin super regional was one of the best to watch. A high powered, highly underrated, Tennessee Tech team gave the Longhorns all they could handle, but Texas took care of business. Tennessee Tech took game one by a 5-4 score where they battered Texas pitching for 11 hits. Fans in Austin never lost faith, but the next two contests weren’t easy. A 4-2 win in game two and a 5-2 win in game three where they staved off a late comeback attempt sent the Longhorns to Omaha for a record 36th time.
Top Position Player
If you watch any college baseball, you probably know the name that is coming. Kody Clemens was a monster all season, but he caught the nation’s attention in the postseason. Roger Clemens’ son had four extra base hits in the the regional, two of which were homers. He then followed up that performance with three homers and a total of four extra base hits in the supers. Expect to see at least one clutch hit from the Detroit Tigers third round pick as the tournament comes to a close.
Top Pitcher
I have to highlight reliever Parker Joe Robinson here. He only tossed 30.2 innings this year while striking out 30 and walking seven, but he performed exceptionally well in high leverage situations. The 6’5 righty posted a 1.17 ERA as he allowed just four earned runs in 20 appearances. Expect Robinson to be the go to guy when times get tough in this year’s CWS.
First CWS Game: Sunday June 17th vs Arkansas
Featured Image Courtesy of: USA Today
