Three Thoughts on Texas’ 7-3 Loss to Notre Dame in the College World Series
The college baseball postseason started with 64 teams playing for a chance to win it all. Last week, the field was cut down to 16 in the Super Regionals and now, the journey is complete as eight teams will make the trip to Omaha. The Texas Longhorns faced the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in game one and lost. Here are my three thoughts on the game.
1. Pete Hansen Didn’t Have His Best Day
It’s been a bit surprising to watch a guy like Pete Hansen struggle so much on the mound. Last week against East Carolina, he gave up five earned runs in just four innings of work. Against Notre Dame on Friday night, Hansen had a similar performance. He pitched a little over four innings and gave up a whopping six earned runs. The Fighting Irish were able to get nine hits of Hansen and cash in on key situations. Texas needed a strong start in game one of the College World Series and they weren’t able to get that from their ace. If the Longhorns are somehow able to get the finals, they will need Pete Hansen to get back to his normal self because he hasn’t looked particularly good in his last two starts.
2. Where Was the Offense?
As crazy as it may sound, I am used to Texas scoring runs with ease. I know this is the College World Series but up to this point, the Longhorns have scored seven or more runs in five of their last six games coming into Friday’s game. In fact, Texas has never scored less than five runs in game this entire postseason until they faced Notre Dame. I’ll give credit to the Notre Dame pitching staff because they had some great stuff as Texas just wasn’t able to get a whole lot going as they didn’t get a single extra base hit in nine innings. I have never seen Texas struggle at the plate like this before, but they better get things figured out quickly or else they will be going back to Austin sooner rather than later.
3. Sunday Will be Electric
Playing in an elimination game in Omaha is crazy enough but to have Texas play Texas A&M in the College World Series? That’s insane. Omaha is already an electric atmosphere and anytime these two programs meet you can bet that something memorable will happen. The hate will be there, the passion will be there and so will the fans. I look forward to seeing the maroon and burnt orange collide and get used to it because these two will be playing a lot more when Texas makes the jump to the SEC. For now, they remain out of conference rivals, but you can guarantee that Sunday will be a game that you won’t want to miss.
