The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Ten Days with Texas Baseball
05.25.2015 | Baseball
The past 10 days for Texas Baseball included final exams, graduation for six players and a Big 12 Championship.
On Sunday, May 24, No. 5 seed Texas Baseball headed into the eighth inning of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship game trailing No. 2 seed Oklahoma State 2-1. Texas rallied for five runs resulting in a 6-3 victory, the Big 12 Championship title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships. The road to a record fifth Big 12 Tournament title (2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2015) was not an easy one. After a difficult regular season, the team had a lot riding on the conference tournament if they were to make it to the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, the student-athletes had a full academic schedule including final exams and graduation for six current players. Here's a look at the past 10 days for Texas Baseball.
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Student-athletes continue with their final exams and practice in Austin
"We wanted to be able to see the into the future and the opportunities that were in front of them. We wanted to connect. We showed them a highlight film because we wanted to show them the times that really brought them teamwork and joy. We showed them how happy they were, at the beginning of the season. That's the person we wanted them to be again." -- Augie Garrido
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Texas travels to Waco to close the regular season with a three-game series vs. Baylor. After back-to-back home runs from C.J Hinojosa and Tres Barrera, Texas takes game one of its series at Baylor, 6-5, Saturday afternoon.
"We worked on it in practice the last two days – just staying focused and staying with our plan. We went up there today and hit some balls hard and had the chance to have two back-to-back home runs in one game. It was key to us winning." -- C.J Hinojosa
SUNDAY, MAY 17
After dropping game one of the doubleheader vs. Baylor 7-1, Texas responds with an 11-1 run-rule win over Baylor to conclude the regular season, then returns to Austin.
"I think it's really important to have that momentum and to go off with a winning feeling and a decisive victory, one that included the best pitching performance of Kyle Johnston all year. We played well behind him. We put some guys in the game that have been working hard in practice, and they're not weighted down by what's happened in the past. They're excited about playing; you can certainly see the spring in their step and the confidence, recognizing their opportunity. You see the difference in the life in their step and that was good to see...[We] approach the Big 12 tournament by how we setup the pitching here, so that was the big thing." -- Augie Garrido
MONDAY, MAY 18
Student-athletes finish their final exams in Austin. Their achievements in the classroom were also highlighted with a league best 12 Academic All-Big 12 selections.
Longhorns place league-best 12 on Academic All-Big 12 Baseball team: http://t.co/w4jJv1hlpK pic.twitter.com/PsfDtGQ3vF
— Texas Baseball (@Texas_Baseball) May 14, 2015
TUESDAY, MAY 19
The team travels to Tulsa and prepares for the start of the Big 12 Tournament with a practice at ONEOK Field that afternoon.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Opening the tournament at 9 a.m., senior pitcher Parker French's complete game propels Texas to a 2-1 victory over Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship opener. Baseball receives the NCAA Public Recognition Award for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR).
"We got away from it, and got focused on their academics and took their minds off of baseball. There was heartbreak, frustration and it built doubt. Once that doubt sets in, it's contagious and everyone loses confidence and starts to try. The vacation and refocusing on an important part of their life, the academics. If you listen to the roll call, we have the highest number of athletes on the academic honor roll for the Big 12. That same mentality that transferred from the classroom, transferred from the field, once they completed it. I think there has been a good transition of getting in touch with ourselves at 17-8 at one point, we lost that and we gained it in this tournament. Our players came in with this frame of mind, we're just starting one tournament earlier this year and that's the way they played it." -- Augie Garrido
THURSDAY, MAY 21
A three-run homer knotted Texas vs. Baylor to three apiece in the top of the ninth. The Longhorns rallied for a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Bears in the bottom half courtesy of a two out, bases loaded single from Tres Barrera to score Bret Boswell.
#Big12BSB: @Texas_Baseball is 2-0 in Tulsa thanks to this walk-off hit from Tres Barrera. http://t.co/pl4MLNc2jw
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 22, 2015
FRIDAY, MAY 22
The team takes a rest day while six current players officially graduate as UT Commencement takes place in Austin.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
Texas secures a spot in the Big 12 Championship game with a 4-0 win over Baylor.
The Longhorns are the first team in Big 12 Championship history to pitch three straight complete games. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/DFTjEGHf7Y
— Texas Baseball (@Texas_Baseball) May 23, 2015
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Texas wins the Big 12 Championship with a 6-3 victory over Oklahoma State.
#Big12BSB: Relive @Texas_Baseball's 6-3 win over @OSUBaseball through photos - http://t.co/YvYChZcJfq pic.twitter.com/HKnT6gAK7j
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 24, 2015
"Today was a moment of glory and a moment of redemption. The more difficult the season, the greater the joy of success." -- Augie Garrido
Fresh off winning the Big 12 Championship Sunday afternoon, Texas discovered its postseason destination as the NCAA unveiled its 64-team tournament field Monday morning on ESPNU.
The Longhorns were awarded the No. 3 seed in the Dallas Regional hosted by Dallas Baptist, where the Patriots are the No. 1 seed. Oregon State is the No. 2 seed and Virginia Commonwealth is the No. 4 seed in the region.
Longhorns are gathered here in the clubhouse to watch the NCAA selection show on ESPNU. pic.twitter.com/Ido4c2zEKb
— Texas Baseball (@Texas_Baseball) May 25, 2015
