The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
04.03.2014 | Baseball
Texas takes on Baylor this weekend
Head coach Augie Garrido
On the Baylor team they are facing this weekend: They have played a really aggressive schedule for one thing. They have been on the road a lot, they have really tried to season their team by putting them up against some of the best teams in the country. So, their record may not be as splendid as some others, but they are very competent in building their team and building confidence in their team. They will play the game the right way and they will play with a lot of energy because it is us.
On the momentum gained after winning against Texas Tech last weekend: Honestly we didn't bring that into the locker room. I think all of us were aware of it, I don't think anyone is going to deny that part of it, however it didn't have a major effect on us. I think the real effect was when [Texas Tech] stole home, I think that was a pretty crushing moment, and I think John Curtiss felt responsible for not checking the runner. You could feel his will just rise up out of him, he created a spirit that I think the players really caught and rallied around. He didn't say anything, it is just the way he got to the mound, and from the mound, and the way he pitched and performed, he demonstrated by his actions a commitment to winning … I think he really willed the whole team unknowingly to be successful.
Then, [Madison] Carter of course became the hero in that because some of his teammates got on base in front of him and he was in a position to get the hit, and he did. They made the error in the outfield which gave us a little more of a cushion, and [Brooks] Marlow had a big hit after that kind of sealed the deal. That's how I feel that game went, I didn't feel like we were playing with an idea that we had to get a monkey off of our back … I thought we were playing the game, and we have done a pretty good job of that.
On if Curtiss' determination last Sunday being a benefit of the tough offseason: When I told the story I didn't think of it like that, but as you mention it, yes. I think that is an example of what we were trying to build in the makeup of this team and the character of this team right from the get go. We had a big demon running around loose called entitlement, so, I think we have seen some examples of a stronger mentality and a more competitive mentality than we have had in the past … There is no place for it … but it is something we all face here.
On if it is important to beat the other teams in the state of Texas: I think it is to our fan base. They rightfully expect it. We are provided with the best of everything, the downside of that is you are expected to win, if you win you are expected to win by a lot, and if you win by a lot you are expected to win by more. What goes along with having the best facilities, the best financial background, the best everything, is the responsibility to be the very best. We can't play to those expectations, but we can become the best baseball team, and [whoever is] the best baseball team in Texas … is certainly going to brag about it. Our fans expect us to be the best team in baseball, we are doing our best to satisfy that [expectation] from the fan base.
On if the team is getting more good fortune than last season: There are so many nuances in baseball, we don't even know what pitch made the difference in who won and who lost. But we do know that the spirit of it all, the intangibles, are controlled by the effort, and it is the tiny little fundamentals of the game, that sometimes aren't even recognizable going from pitch to pitch … what changed the game in Rice wasn't a hit. It was Ben Johnson running to first on a routine ground ball to the second baseman for what was going to be the third out, and he bobbled it. It never hit the ground again, but you know how fast Ben can run, and he was using that speed, he was safe. That led to three runs. Is that luck? Or is that discipline? I don't know if luck gives you breaks, I think it just gives you an opportunity. I think the unrecognizable differences are so subtle that it seems like you are lucky.
Junior second baseman Brooks Marlow
On if it feels good to finally win a Big 12 conference series again: Yes, absolutely, that is what momentum is all about. I think that Sunday game [at Texas Tech] going to 12 innings and just fighting out every inning, like John Curtiss did on the mound, really shows what kind of team we are, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to win. That's not going to do anything except carry over into the rest of the season and carry over this weekend against Baylor. It's a huge monkey to get off our back, to finally get our first Big 12 conference series win in however long it's been … I think it is good for us and I think we are ready to go on Friday.
On the importance of this weekend's series with Baylor: I would say every series is important, it is not just about Baylor, but about every team in this Big 12 conference. I think Baylor is a great team, and so are we. I think it is going to be a great battle.
On if there is more excitement in the locker room with the recent success: I believe it is the same vibe we have had all season. Especially with the stuff we went through in the fall, it was kind of rough, we had guys [battling] every day, and it is just a vibe we want to keep all year long. We just want to keep it going through the Big 12 conference.
Senior pitcher Nathan Thornhill
On the team's confidence right now: We have a lot of confidence. I think it has to do with this team playing against the game rather than playing against our opponent. We know what our plan is at the plate, we know what our plan is on defense and pitching, and if we go and execute that the game should come out in our favor. If we stick to that, it builds confidence.
On how different this season has been compared to last year: It is a lot different, it is a lot more fun. I think that is the biggest part, with the wins come more fun, you like that feeling and you don't want to have the other feeling.
On if there has been a noticeable difference with the team since winning a conference series last week: I don't think it is as big as you think it is, but the biggest thing we as players realize is now we can [approach] every game as a baseball game, instead of Tuesdays are weekday games and weekends are Big 12 series we haven't won in a long time. Baseball is baseball, and it is a lot more relaxing to be able to just go play baseball.
On what is unique about playing Baylor: They are always scrappy and always bring their "A" game against us, just like everybody else. Baylor has had good players in the past. I think the biggest thing with them is that they have always had an older team. I don't know about them this year, but they have always had some senior experience and I think it is going to be a good series.
