The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
New year, high expectations
01.25.2015 | Baseball
Longhorns looking forward as preseason practice gets underway
By Lance Gottardy, Texas Media Relations
When the 2015 Texas baseball team took the field for its first official practice on Saturday morning, there were many familiar faces from the 2014 squad that finished tied for third in the nation, including seven returning positional starters and ace pitcher Parker French.
However, the players and coaching staff are not looking to duplicate last season's performance in 2015, but rather forge their own path as an entirely new team. Sophomore catcher Tres Barrera explained the players' approach for doing so throughout the offseason and into spring practices.
"We have to just to keep getting better every day," said Barrera. "We have the pieces to the puzzle this year, and we had a lot of guys come in and create a lot of depth for us. I feel that if we continue to try and get better every day and keep striving to reach our potential we can be alright … we brought a killer instinct into this offseason. We worked hard, and we want to win the championship."
It is an entirely new squad this season, especially for Barrera's battery mates on the mound. Texas loses over half of its innings pitched from 2014, including four players who were selected in the Major League draft as well as sophomore Morgan Cooper who will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery.
The Longhorns will need returners such as French and 2014 NCAA Tournament star Chad Hollingsworth to lead the otherwise unproven staff. French was drafted last season as well, but chose to return for his senior season to become the veteran leader of the younger pitchers.
When asked if he was glad to come back this season, French responded "It's probably up there with one of the best decisions of my life. Getting to lead this team, getting to experience life again with these guys —I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm extremely happy to be back, ready to bring a national title back to this school, and give back everything that was given to me."
French will lead a staff that will ask sophomores, lefty Josh Sawyer and right-hander Kacy Clemens, as well as junior left-handers Travis Duke and Ty Culbreth to step into larger roles this season. Texas also has an impressive slate of freshman arms such as right-handers Kyle Johnston, Tyler Schimpf, Connor Mayes and Parker Joe Robinson, to name a few, who will look to immediately contribute.
At the plate and on defense, seven Longhorns return, including Barrera, a second-team freshman All-American catcher last year, CWS All-Tournament Team shortstop C.J Hinojosa and second-team All-Big 12 second baseman and Rawlings Gold Glove Winner Brooks Marlow.
Even with the experience returning, redshirt freshman infielder Bret Boswell, and freshmen infielder Travis Jones and catcher Michael Cantu will look to make an impact right away.
Hinojosa is focused on building off of his impressive postseason performance in 2014, where he hit a team-best .375 with eight RBI in 11 games. He knows that with the right approach, this season can be something special.
"We all know what we're capable of, and we want to push all of the guys that were here," said Hinojosa. "We know we can do an extra rep, or we know we can do one more something because that's what it is going to take for us to win again. It's also fun because we have a bunch of young guys who are great. They're willing to learn, and they want to be included, also. We include them like little brothers, and they're going to have a big role to play for our team."
The Longhorns are focused on creating a mentality that will translate to familiar success. Head coach Augie Garrido has always concentrated on the mental side of baseball, and this season is no different.
"I think we have the components of a real team; now it's about attitude," said Garrido. "Now it's about work ethic. Now it's about teamwork. Until we see who gets to play, who doesn't get to play and how they respond to it, how they respond to their wins and losses."
With the dawn of a new season comes inevitable highs, lows and most importantly, opportunity. The 2015 team will now have their chance to leave a mark on Texas Baseball. Garrido has high expectations for this year that he knows can be met if the players maintain the right mindset.
"You can't get too good; you have to keep the attitude. The game demands selflessness. You have to keep that competitive attitude and that work ethic … They're going in the right direction. We're hopeful that we've taken the right steps."
