 "Photo: Tina Hogue")
The first five-game week of the year is in the books, and the Longhorns breezed through it.
The NCAA's shortened season hasn't phased Texas, as the No. 14 Longhorns started the season 5-0 for only the third time since 1996.
"So far, it hasn't revealed any weaknesses, that I feel like, 'Oh my goodness, I don't know, it's going to be a problem,'" coach Augie Garrido said.
The Longhorns' coaches are happy with the way the team started the season - on every side of the ball. Defensively, Garrido said his team played smart and demonstrated its athleticism in getting tough outs. Hitters one through nine produced, getting hits, driving in runs and showing off their speed. And Texas' pitching staff has been dominant.
"We put more time into scrimmaging [in practice] than ever before," Garrido said. "I mean a lot more. And it was to develop the pitching staff."
Apparently, it worked.
The Longhorns own a 2.25 team ERA and have seen impressive debuts from freshmen and veterans alike. Through 36 innings of work, Texas allowed just nine earned runs.
The pitching staff gives a little credit to the Longhorns hitters for their quick start, too.
"That makes us better too, facing the guys we face that are really good offensively," pitching coach Skip Johnson said.
Right-hander Casey Whitmer added: "That definitely prepares us for the games, knowing that we're facing some of the top guys in the country [in practice]."
The Longhorns have been tough on opponents' pitching. They're hitting .333 as a team and have plated 43 runs. Transfers Michael Torres and Brandon Belt have become immediate contributors. Each scored six runs, Torres drove in seven and Belt has five RBIs this year.
On top of the freshmen making an impact on the mound, freshman Kevin Keyes has been a big piece in Texas' lineup. The left fielder has gone 6-for-10 overall at the plate with a .714 on-base percentage and is 2-for-2 stealing bases.
"These freshmen are the real deal," right fielder Kyle Russell said. "They're really stepping into their roles and just doing a good job. It's funny, because they're only freshman, so they've still got room to grow, too."
Those new guys will get their first taste of Texas' rivalry with Rice this weekend as part of the Houston Classic at Minute Maid Park. The No. 15 Owls won the last meeting, but the Longhorns took 10 consecutive before that. Junior right-hander Kenn Kasparek is expected to start against Rice's Cole St. Clair.
Texas also faces Tennesse on Friday and Houston on Sunday.
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