The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UIW
No. 9 Baseball preview: UIW
03.22.2021 | Baseball
The Longhorns return to UFCU Disch-Falk Field for a four-game homestand.
TEXAS (14-6) vs. UIW (9-6)
March 23, 2021
Where: UFCU Disch-Falk Field
Time: Tuesday–6:30 p.m.
TV: Longhorn Network
Radio: 104.9 FM The Horn/1260 AM
Live stats: https://texassports.com/sidearmstats/baseball
All-time series: Texas leads 3-1
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
TUESDAY–Texas LHP Pete Hansen (2-0, 3.52) vs. UIW LHP Bryson Walker (0-0, 9.00)
THE MATCHUP—Texas returns home to host Incarnate Word at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday to open a four-game homestand. The Longhorns lead the all-time series 3-1, including a 3-0 mark at home. Last time out, Texas rode six shutout innings from Coy Cobb to win 9-0 in May 2019, with the bats scoring eight two-out runs in the victory. Eric Kennedy and Tate Shaw each collected three hits in the game to lead the Longhorns offensively, while Duke Ellis had a two-hit game.
A LOOK AT THE LONGHORNS—The Longhorns improved to 14-6 on the year after taking two of three games at Baylor over the weekend, the first Big 12 Conference series of the season. Texas won the first two games, 5-3 and 4-3, respectively, before falling in the series finale. In the series opener, Ty Madden pitched 6 1/3 innings and struck out nine batters to pick up his third win of the season. On Saturday, Cam Williams launched a solo homer in the top of the fourth, his team-leading fourth of the season, finishing the game 2-for-4 for his second-straight multiple-hit game. The loss on Sunday snapped the Longhorns eight-game winning streak. Texas is 14-3 over its last seventeen games and has won four-straight series.
QUICKER THAN QUICK—Mike Antico leads the Big 12 and is seventh nationally with 11 stolen bases. Eric Kennedy is right behind him, holding down the second spot in the conference with eight stolen bases, which ranks 15th in the nation. As a team, the Longhorns have swiped 30 bases, which is second in the conference and ranks 19th nationally. Additionally Kennedy uses his speed regularly to get on base with eight infield singles, including five bunt hits this season.
FLASHING THE LEATHER—Trey Faltine has been a human highlight reel this season, making the difficult look routine. The Longhorns shortstop leads the Big 12 with 57 assists and is tied for tenth with 10 double plays while sporting a .963 fielding percentage in 82 chances.
ALL YOU NEED IS PATIENCE—Mike Antico and Trey Faltine currently sit in the top-20 in the nation with 19 walks a piece, which is good for third in the Big 12 Conference. Zach Zubia was drawn 13 base on balls to place him at 16th in the conference. The Longhorns have collectively drawn 101 walks, fourth-most in the conference and 16th-most in the NCAA.
HAMMER KEEPS HAMMERING—Cam Williams crushed his team-leading fourth home run at Baylor on Saturday and drove in a run in each game of the series. Williams is riding a nine-game hitting streak and currently leads the team in hits (20), doubles (8), total bases (40) and slugging-percentage (.563), while sitting second on the squad in RBI (15). Williams' eight doubles are second-most in the Big 12 and rank 13th nationally.
THE ACE—Ty Madden has been brilliant this season, twice earning Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week honors, including following his 14-strikeout, complete game shutout outing on March 5 against Houston. That performance also garnered nods as the NCBWA and Perfect Game National Pitcher of the Week, one of Collegiate Baseball's National Players of The Week and one of four nominees for the Golden Spikes Award Performance of the Week. Madden currently leads the Big 12 and ranks 8th nationally with 44 strikeouts this season. He also leads the conference in hits allowed per nine innings (3.78) and is tied for the lead in games started (5), while ranking second in WHIP (0.78), fifth in wins (3) and sixth in ERA (1.62).
HEAR 'EM—In partnership with Learfield IMG College, Texas games will be broadcast on the Austin Radio Network, primarily on 104.9 The Horn and AM 1260. Craig Way handles primary play-by-play duties alongside Roger Wallace.
WATCH 'EM—All of Texas' home games will be broadcast on Longhorn Network this season. The team of Keith Moreland and Greg Swindell will return to the booth to call the action.
