Texas has produced its fastest start in more than two decades thanks largely to a dominant pitching staff, and the unbeaten Longhorns also are producing at the plate and on the basepaths as they get ready to open Southeastern Conference play.
Texas gave up more than four runs in a game for the first time on Saturday in an 11-9 victory over USC Upstate, but it hardly mattered because the Longhorns were so dominant offensively. Texas (15-0) has scored at least 10 runs in each of its last five games, the first time the Longhorns have accomplished that feat since 1989. They’ve outscored opponents 147-36.
The Longhorns visit Texas State on Tuesday before starting their SEC schedule on Friday against Mississippi.
“We’re still an evolving team,” Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle told reporters after a 13-3 win over USC Upstate on Sunday. “We just need to stay healthy.”
The last time the Longhorns remained unbeaten this deep into a season is 2005, when they started 16-0 and went on to win the national championship.
Right-hander Ruger Riojas (4-0, 1.23 ERA) and lefty Dylan Volantis (2-0, 1.54) lead an outstanding pitching staff. Volantis has moved into a starting role after making 12 saves and being named Baseball America’s freshman of the year last season.
Yet, Texas showed this weekend it can win in plenty of different ways. Texas hit five home runs in a 14-2 win over USC Upstate on Friday and stole 14 bases in the three-game series.
“We’re not going to try to create things out of thin air,” Schlossnagle said of the stolen bases. “It’s just going to be, if the other team gives it to us, we’re going to take it. They had some pitchers with some slower leg times. When the math is right, we’re not going to be able to run.”