NCAA Regional Profile: #2 National Seed Texas hosts in Austin, TX

(NCAA photo/CBC image)

By College Baseball Central writers Micah Beutell, Bo Carter, Noah Darling, Caleb Donnelley, Mark Garland, Andrew Kube, Doug Kyle, Jake Mastroianni, Jake McKeever, Andrew Riedell, and Colton Watson

Host: Texas Longhorns (UFCU Disch-Falk Stadium)

1. Texas (42-12, 22-8 Southeastern Conference)

2. UTSA (44-13, 23-4 American Athletic Conference)

3. Kansas State (31-24, 17-13 Big 12 Conference)

4. Houston Christian (32-23, 17-13 Southland Conference)

#1 Texas

RPI* 4  SOS 19  Record vs Q1: 17-11 Q2: 7-0

It was a controversial start to Texas’s move into the SEC, having stolen away head coach Jim Schlossnagle from Texas A&M. But the move certainly paid off as they were the regular season champions, going 22-8 in SEC play.

Pitching led the way for this Longhorns team, leading the SEC with a 3.54 ERA and .216 batting average against. It wasn’t necessarily a dominant pitching staff with a K/9 of 9.39, but they did a great job of limiting walks and keeping the ball in the yard. For much of the season, the weekend formula of Jared Spencer, Luke Harrison, and Ruger Riojas worked perfectly.

But Spencer left his start against Auburn on April 17th and ended up being ruled out for the rest of the season, as it was determined he would need shoulder surgery. That didn’t seem to slow them down as they swept Auburn in that series, and then rival Texas A&M the next weekend. But they did lose two of their last three SEC series.

A big part of their pitching success was the bullpen. Freshman Dylan Volantis was the SEC Freshman of the Year after posting a 1.99 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 45.1 innings with 68 strikeouts and 12 saves. Max Grubbs was just as dominant out of the pen and able to give them multiple innings.

Offensively, it was more of a struggle for Texas. It doesn’t help that they lost their best hitter in Max Belyeu at the end of March. He did return for the final regular season series, which should be a huge boost for them in the postseason. Ethan Mendoza became a huge spark plug for them atop the lineup, hitting .330 with 51 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. Rylan Galvan had several clutch hits throughout the season and led the team with 14 home runs.

How does Texas win this regional? While Luke Harrison and Ruger Riojas have been good for Texas, not having that Friday guy in Spencer leaves a big hole. But if they can get it to the bullpen with a lead, you feel great about their chances. If Belyeu can shake off the rust from all the time he missed, and others like Jalin Flores and Will Gasparino can step up, this offense has enough firepower to win them a game even if the pitching staff struggles.

The regional competition isn’t the fiercest, so playing solid baseball and limiting free passes to 1st base, errors, and unproductive outs from the offense should see Texas advance to a Super Regional. Schlossnagle is one of the best coaches in the country and knows what it takes to get to Omaha. Is this the group that finally gets him that elusive title?

#2 UTSA

RPI* 25  SOS 118  Record vs Q1: 15-12 Q2: 5-3

The UTSA Roadrunners came into the NCAA Tournament via an at-large bid after losing in the AAC Championship twice to Tulane. But thanks to their 44-13 record and RPI of 25, they find themselves as the two seed in a regional. UTSA has some key wins over teams like #1 preseason Texas A&M, #2 national seed Texas, and going 23-4 in conference play this year.

Led by AAC Coach of the Year Pat Hallmark, this team was the best statistical offense in the AAC this season, led by AAC Player of the Year Mason Lytle's .372 average, 9 home runs, and 65 RBIs. Drew Detlefsen led the team with 13 home runs and 70 RBIs this season. Pitching for the Roadrunners is led by their strong bullpen arms like Connor Kelley and Robert Orloski, Orloski boasting a 2.92 ERA and 8-0 record with 8 saves. 

#3 Kansas State

RPI* 37  SOS 28  Record vs Q1: 5-17 Q2: 6-3

The Wildcats earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament after netting a 31-24 record and the 37th ranked RPI in the country.  Kansas State struggled away from home this season, though produced an 18-3 record at Tointon Family Stadium 

The Wildcats once again scheduled tough, though also beginning the year on a sour note.  In Conway, Pete Hughes’ squad fell to Washington and Coastal Carolina twice.  They quickly turned things around in Arlington, however, going 3-0 at Globe Life Field against Arkansas, Michigan and TCU. 

With a 17-13 Big 12 conference record, Kansas State entered the Big 12 Tournament with expectations of an NCAA Tournament appearance, scoffing at questions regarding potential bubble status. Despite a quick exit from competition, the Wildcats were confident in their standing.  Sharing this confidence, the NCAA baseball committee placed K-State in the Austin Regional as one of the last four teams in the NCAA Tournament. 

The Wildcats present with an offense that can rotate between explosion and dormancy, though when on, they are capable of outsourcing nearly anyone in the country.  With layers of experience in high octane players Maximus Martin and Dee Kennedy, the Wildcats are peppered with talented Freshmen such as AJ Evasco and Donte Lewis. 

Frontline starter Jacob Frost has displayed longevity this season, producing dominant outings against Arkansas and Kansas, though he struggled against a Houston team who dealt in small ball in the Big 12 Tournament. 

In order to find success in Austin, the Wildcats will look to minimize defensive mistakes, which have become an unfortunate calling card in allowing quality outings and stronger offensive performances to falter.  Wildcat third-baseman Kennedy will likely be playing with an additional chip on his shoulder after beginning his career at Texas.  Though prior to likely facing the Longhorns, the Wildcats will need to handle a 44-13 UTSA club that already boasts a midweek victory over the hosting 'Horns.

#4 Houston Christian

RPI* 91  SOS 127  Record vs Q1: 2-7 Q2: 3-6

The Huskies, formerly coached by Rice and MLB Houston Astros great Lance Berkman, enjoyed their best season since moving to NCAA Division I and got hot just at the right time. They downed U. Of New Orleans twice in the Southland Conference tourney last week to go 5-0 in that meet and earn their first NCAA Division postseason chance.

Previously known as Houston Baptist, HCU has made great strides on the diamond and in FCS football in recent years and will be a sentimental favorite to perform well in Austin. The Huskies' 5-13 mark in Q1-2 games this spring is among the lowest among the 64 qualifiers, but the team went 17-13 in the SLC and overcame a so-so non-conference schedule to gain a berth.

The Huskies pitching is led by starters Joshua Caravalho (9-3, 5.57 ERA) and Parker Edwards (3-4, 3.92 ERA) and their top two closers Ben Norton (1-2, 273 ERA, 9 saves) and Louis Castano (7-1, 4.17 ERA).

At the plate, HCU has three regulars hitting .300 or better, Rhett Hendricks (.327, 36 RBI, 6 HR), Jack Walker (.325, 32 RBI), and Kenneth Dutka (.301, 25 RBI, 1 HR). Parker Edwards is the leading power hitter (.296, 47 RBI, 9 HRs).

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*-Warren Nolan RPI