No. 10/14 Baseball Preview: vs. Kansas [March 14-16, 2014]

No. 10/14 Texas (14-4) vs. Kansas (12-4) · March 14-16

Where: Austin, Texas • UFCU Disch-Falk Field (7,237)

Times: 6 p.m./1 p.m./1 p.m.

Television: Longhorn Network - Talent: Kevin Dunn (PbP), Keith Moreland (Analyst)

Radio: AM 1300 The Zone, online at www.TexasSports.com/showcase - Talent: Craig Way (PbP), Roger Wallace (Analyst), Bill Little (Analyst)

All-Time Series: Texas leads 42-19

Probable Starting Pitchers

Jr. LHP Wes Benjamin (2-0, 4.78) vs. Jr. RHP Parker French (2-1, 1.07)

Jr. RHP Robert Kahana (1-2, 4.84) vs. Jr. LHP Dillon Peters (1-1, 2.00)

Sr. RHP Frank Duncan (2-1, 2.01) vs. Sr. RHP Nathan Thornhill (3-0, 1.21)

QUICK HITS

· Texas has won nine of its last 10 games and 14 of its last 16.

· The Longhorns lead the all-time series against the Jayhwaks 42-19, though Kansas took two of three last year against the Horns.

· Texas is 11-6 in Big 12 openers under Augie Garrido and 11-5-1 in Big 12 opening series.

· The Longhorns are 7-1 in games decided by two runs or less this season. They are also 8-3 when the opponent scores first, which includes all three wins over Hawai'i last weekend.

· The Horns' pitching staff currently boasts a 2.05 ERA which leads the Big 12. West Virginia is second with a 2.25 ERA. In winning nine of the last 10 games, Texas has a 1.19 ERA in the nine wins.

· The Texas bullpen has not allowed a run in the last 22 innings of work and has only allowed 14 earned runs in 63 2/3 innings this year (1.98 ERA).

· Texas is No. 2 in the country in Iterative Strength Rating, according to college baseball site BoydsWorld.com (see more - page 3). The Longhorns rank sixth in strength of schedule.

· Texas turned three double plays last Sunday vs. Hawai'i and the Longhorns have turned 16 this season, which is third in the Big 12. The Longhorns are also third in fielding percentage (.976). Texas is fielding at a .990 clip at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

· Brooks Marlow has been at his best at home, hitting .314 (11-35) with six runs & 10 walks (.457 OBP).

· Senior center fielder Mark Payton leads the Big 12 in on-base percentage (.547), is tied for the lead in triples (4) and walks (15), is second in hits (26) and batting average (.413), and is third in total bases (39). Payton has reached base safely in 57 consecutive games dating back to last season, which is tied for the longest streak nationally with Michael Pritchard of Nebraska.

· Batting leadoff for the first time this season, Ben Johnson went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in the 6-3 win over Texas State on Tuesday. Tres Barrera recorded his first three-hit game as a collegian.

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

No. 10/14 Baseball Preview: vs. Kansas [March 14-16, 2014]

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