Big 12 Baseball Preview: Shriners Children’s College Classic Highlights Weekend
It felt like just yesterday opening weekend was here and now we are entering the third full weekend of baseball. While last weekend saw plenty of great action on the diamond, there will be even more action coming up including a major tournament in Houston.
Between some big-time matchups and exciting series, let’s take a look at the upcoming weekend for Big 12 baseball.
Notable Games
Shriners Children’s College Classic
If you have a chance to sit down and watch some baseball this weekend then this is the tournament to watch. Go ahead, get some snacks, a few beverages, and find a nice chair to kick back in. This tournament for a great cause is played down in Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. It features six teams (two from the Big 12) and four of those teams (#10 TCU, #14 Louisville, #15 Texas A&M, and #24 Texas Tech) are ranked inside the top 25.
The Competition
No offense to Rice but the toughest teams that the Big 12 will face here are Louisville and Texas A&M. Both A&M and Louisville are good in different ways. The Aggies have struggled to hit the ball so far this year but have an excellent pitching staff that is deep. Meanwhile, Louisville doesn’t have the pitchers that the A&M has but their bats more than make up for it.
The Big 12 Teams
It’s pretty cool to have two ranked teams down in Houston to represent the Big 12. Both TCU and Texas Tech have enough offense to beat any of these three teams they will be facing this weekend. However, I am really going to be interested in watching these pitching staffs especially against teams like Louisville and Texas A&M. Will they hold up? We will find out soon enough.
Tournament Schedule
Friday, March 3
#24 Texas Tech vs. Rice, 11:05 a.m.
#10 TCU vs. Michigan, 3:05 p.m.
#14 Louisville vs. #15 Texas A&M, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 4
Michigan vs. #24 Texas Tech, 11:05 a.m.
#14 Louisville vs. #10 TCU, 3:05 p.m.
Rice vs. #15 Texas A&M, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 5
Michigan vs. #14 Louisville, 11:05 a.m.
Rice vs. #10 TCU, 3:05 p.m.
#15 Texas A&M vs. #24 Texas Tech, 7:05 p.m.
Texas at Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton may not be the program it once was, but due to the name alone, this makes for an interesting series. The Titans are coming off a rough 2022 but they do have a lot of returning starters back for this season. However, they have some big question marks when it comes to their weekend rotation which should give these young Texas hitters plenty of golden opportunities at the plate. I just wish these two teams were at a higher level than they are at this very moment.
Oklahoma
Friday: vs Ohio State
Saturday: vs Mississippi State
Sunday: vs Cal
The Sooners are heading to Texas for the Frisco College Classic where they will face Ohio State, Mississippi State, and California. I believe Oklahoma can get pats Ohio State, but MSU and Cal are two good teams. Both of them will likely be in the postseason which should provide a great challenge for Oklahoma. If they can take two out of three this weekend then that would be a huge boost that this team desperately needs.
Other Games
West Virginia
Friday: vs William & Mary
Saturday: vs VCU
Sunday: vs Richmond
The Mountaineers are making a trip to Virginia to take on three different teams. The good news is that West Virginia should have no issues taking care of business on the diamond this weekend. None of these teams they are facing scare me at all, and I look forward to seeing Blaine Traxel and Ben Hampton on the mound. Those two should shine this weekend along with the bats of JJ Wetherholt and Caleb McNeely.
#12 Oklahoma State vs Austin Peay
Austin Peay isn’t a team that should beat Oklahoma State. As long as the Cowboys continue to play well then there should be no issues at all here. We all know about the bats of Roc Riggio, Nolan McLean, and David Mendham but I am really liking what I am seeing on the mound over the last few games. If they can continue their momentum with their pitching staff then this team should become the Big 12 favorite.
Baylor vs Youngstown State
Forget about the opponent here. Baylor needs to get better in every aspect of the game. They got absolutely embarrassed last weekend at Duke where they were outscored 52 to 7 over a three game stretch. The Bears needs to show some life on the mound and at the plate this weekend. If they are able to win this series then that would be a big step in the right direction. However, I am not sure if this team is capable of doing that.
Kansas at Belmont
The Jayhawks continue their road trip with a visit to Nashville to take on Belmont for a three-game set. The Jayhawks started off the 2023 season with back to back series wins and will look for a third starting Friday. Kansas has looked improved this season offensively and defensively. The bats have been awake as they have five guys in the lineup hitting above the .300 mark. Meanwhile the pitching has been consistent as well. This will be the toughest test the Jayhawks will face so far this season.
Kansas State
Friday: vs Army
Saturday: vs Stonehill
Sunday: vs Army
The Wildcats make their first trip home as they will face two different opponents over the next three games. Kansas State got roughed up a little bit last weekend in Round Rock as they continue to struggle with their weekend rotation. However, the bats of Nick Goodwin and Brendan Jones have been fantastic so far this season. I want to see this rotation on the mound continue to get better so this team can compete at a higher level.
