Big 12 Standings (2/27)

BIG 12 STANDINGS (2/26)

TEAM	W	L	WIN %	STREAK	LAST 10
#3 Texas	5	0	1.000	W5	5-0
#22 Baylor	4	0	1.000	W4	4-0
#24 Oklahoma State	4	0	1.000	W4	4-0
#16 Missouri	3	1	.750	L1	3-1
Oklahoma	3	1	.750	W3	3-1
#29 Texas A&M	4	2	.667	W3	4-2
Texas Tech	2	3	.400	L1	2-3
Kansas	2	4	.333	L2	2-4
Nebraska	1	2	.333	L1	1-2
Kansas State	0	2	0.000	L2	0-2

Texas rolls to 5-0 with win over UTPA

Dominant.

That is how this Texas pitching staff has looked against much weaker competition. Today, a freshman and 2 transfers combined for a 3 hit shutout in 7 innings. They allowed 4 base runners in total while striking out 10. Albeit against a lower level of competition than they will face this weekend in Houston, Texas has cruised to easy victories because of this entire staff.

With a 1.88 ERA after 5 games, it appears that they have what it takes to make a long run towards Omaha in 2008. The production is coming from almost everyone who has been on the mound. 7 of the 12 pitchers used have yet to give up an earned run, and opponents are batting only .201 with a .239 slugging %. 52 strikeouts to only 11 walks in 43 innings are great numbers, and they've only yielded 6 extra base hits, all doubles.

With the new start date and condensed schedule that teams are facing this season, the team with the deepest and most dominant staff will have the best chance at winning the championship. Currently, only Oklahoma State has a better staff ERA in the Big 12, with a 1.25, but they have walked more and struck out less in fewer innings. Look for these pitchers to keep the Longhorns' opponents from succeeding.

The hitting hasn't been shabby either. Texas is tops in the Big 12 with a .333 average and 48 runs scored. An OBP of .460 has helped Texas immensely, giving them more opportunities to score their runs. They are also 11-11 in sacrifice hits, doing exactly what Augie asks of each batter to help the team.

Back to today's game. Chance Ruffin, Casey Whitmer and Marcus Tackett gave no mercy to the Bronco hitters, while Brandon Belt and Russell Moldenhauer had timely extra base hits that helped the run production. Belt's 2 ground rule doubles gave him 5 for the season, 2 better than any batter in the Big 12. Texas is now 5-0, ranked #3 and plays Tennessee at 7 pm (time schedule to change due to games before it) at Minute Maid Park on Friday.

Box Score

Texas Tech falls to UNM

Texas Tech fell to 2-3 after struggling with the Lobos in a 7-3 loss. New Mexico jumped out to an early lead thanks to a pair of home runs, and cruised to victory over the Red Raiders in Albuquerque on Wednesday afternoon.

Jason Seefeld brought Tech within 5 with his 2-run blast in the 7th, but the Raiders just could not rally. Part of the problem for Texas Tech was the lack of pitch selection by hitters. Too many times they swung at the first pitch, and didn't reach base. UNM's starting pitcher threw 6.1 innings and only 81 pitches. That's less than 5 pitches per out, and only 3.25 for each batter he faced.

The pitching for Tech was also a weak point today. Russ Fornea just couldn't keep the Lobo batters from getting hits, and Owen Brolsma's performance did not help. James Leverton, Sam Janca and Zach Stewart did a great job in their relief innings, but the hitting couldn't overcome the defecit.

This weekend could end up being a bad one for the Raiders if their woes continue. With games against Tennessee, Houston and Rice, they could easily come back to Lubbock with a 2-6 record. Let's hope they cure their problems and win a game or 2 this weekend.

Box Score

Brian Duncan named finalist for Sullivan award

Very cool of Brian. The Sullivan Award is given by AAU, and recognizes community service and leadership contributions.

Texas Tech release

Tech sets up for midweek game with New Mexico

Time for game #5, and the last tune up before the Minute Maid Classic in Houston.

Texas Tech travels to Albuquerque to take on the New Mexico Lobos at Isotopes Park. Game time is set for 4:00 pm. The starting lineup for the Red Raiders should be as follows:

C Monk Kreder
1B Doug Thennis
2B Joey Kenworthy
SS Chris Hall
3B Jason Seefeld
RF Roger Kieschnick
CF Taylor Ashby
LF Chris Richburg
DH Juan Rodriguez

Starting on the mound will be Jr. RHP Russ Fornea, a transfer from Stephen F. Austin, making his first career start in the scarlet and black. Fornea appeared in one game over the weekend, throwing a perfect 1 1/3 innings with 1 strikeout.

Texas Tech has won the last 10 of 11 games in the series against UNM. They lead the all-time series 54-31-1.

Notes

• Tech coach Larry Hays is 14 wins away from 1,500 career wins. He is 9 wins away from 800 wins at Tech. He has led Tech for the past 22 seasons.
  
• Roger Kieschnick's 41 doubles is good for 6th all-time at Tech
• Kieschnick's 8 triples ties him for 9th all-time at Tech
  

DJ Augustin named to Academic All-American First Team

For the second time in school history, Texas has an Academic All-American in basketball. DJ Augustin was picked by ESPN The Magazine as a first team selection on this year's squad. To even be a nominee for the award, you have to be a starter or significant bench player, have a career GPA of 3.20 and be a sophomore or higher. Augustin easily fit all 3 categories, thanks to his 3.64 GPA (4.0 in the Fall 07).

DJ is also the only player on the first team that I've heard of. The others hail from Drake, Belmont, Coastal Carolina and North Dakota State. Congrats to DJ.

TexasSports.com

Workman K's 11 in Texas victory

Brandon Workman did a hell of a job in his first start as a Longhorn. The freshman from Bowie, Texas pitched 6 innings and struck out 11 UTPA batters, earning his first victory in the 10-3 Texas win.

For the first time all season, Texas actually trailed an opponent. They gave up the first run on a slow roller up the 3rd base line. Travis Tucker opted to not field the ball in the hopes that it would roll foul, but it stayed fair and the runner on 3rd scored, giving UTPA a 1-0 lead. Texas tied the game, but UTPA scored another run, taking a 2-1 lead this time. Texas decided that that would just not work for them, and outscored the Broncs from that point on 9-1, thanks in most part to the lack of control by the Pan Am staff. Texas picked up 11 walks and 3 HBPs in the contest. 7 of the 14 batters ended up scoring, with 2 picking up RBIs for their effort.

Brandon Belt set a career high with 4 RBIs on the day. He also collected 2 of the 9 Longhorn hits. Travis Tucker was successful on 3 stolen base attempts out of 4. He stole 2nd in the first inning, but was subsequently thrown out trying to steal 3rd.

Texas and UTPA close out their 2 game stand today at 2:30 at Disch-Falk Field.

Big 12 Standings

BIG 12 STANDINGS (2/26)

TEAM	W	L	WIN %	STREAK	LAST 10
#22 Baylor	4	0	1.000	W4	4-0
#24 Oklahoma State	4	0	1.000	W4	4-0
#3 Texas	4	0	1.000	W4	4-0
#16 Missouri	3	1	.750	L1	3-1
Oklahoma	2	1	.750	W2	2-1
#29 Texas A&M	3	2	.600	W2	3-2
Texas Tech	2	2	.500	W1	2-2
Kansas	2	3	.400	L1	2-3
Nebraska	1	2	.333	L1	1-2
Kansas State	0	2	0.000	L2	0-2

Texas Tech revises 2008 football schedule

Due to a request by the Big 12 for reasons relating to the TV schedule, Texas Tech has announced that they have pushed back the dates of their final 2 football games. The Red Raiders were initially set to travel to Norman, Oklahoma on November 15th to battle the Oklahoma Sooners, and back to Lubbock for their contest against the Baylor Bears on November 22nd. Now, Texas Tech will take the 15th off, travel to Norman on the 22nd and play host to Baylor on November 29th, after Thanksgiving.

This new schedule gives Tech 2 open dates (September 27th and November 15th). I personally don't like the game on November 29th because it will shorten my break.

Texas Tech also has their Red-Black game scheduled for April 19th.

THE NEW POLLS ARE HERE!

The NCBWA poll came out today. It's the one that I use to track the Big 12 teams.

The Big 12 went from 3 teams among the top 25, to 4.

Texas jumped 3 spots from 6th to 3rd.

Missouri moved up one from 17th to 16th.

Baylor went from 26th to 22nd.

Oklahoma State is now 24th, moving up 5 spots.

Texas A&M dropped out of the top 25 to 29th. They were 20th before splitting their series with Northern Colorado in College Station.

Texas Tech finishes weekend 2-2

Texas Tech finished their weekend at the UTSA Tournament tied for 2nd place with a 2-2 mark. Tech led off their season in poor fashion, getting 1-hit by Louisiana-Lafayette. The 4-0 defeat was not blamed on pitching, as Tech starter AJ Ramos struck out 10 batters in his 7 innings. Texas Tech had a better outing against Army on Sunday morning. Tech kicked off the game with a 7-run first inning, and cruised to a 16-2 victory, highlighted by Roger Kieschnick's 4 extra base hits. Kieschnick recorded 2 doubles, a triple and a home run, coming up just a single shy of the cycle.

Tech followed up the victory with a disappointing loss to tournament champions Oral Roberts. Tech held a 2-run advantage before giving up 3 2-out runs in the bottom of the 7th, dooming the Red Raiders to a 7-6 loss and a losing record. Not to go out on bottom, Tech answered back with a vengeance against the host team. With 10 runs in the first frame, Tech set the pace for the day, finishing with a 16-6 victory and a 2-2 record.

A 2-2 record is good for this team. They proved a lot of what critics panned them for before the season was empty cynicism. The brightest spot for the Red Raiders was their pitching staff. The starters were phenomenal, going a combined 2-1 with 25 strikeouts in 22 innings. Although the ERA for the starters was a 4.09, most of those runs were scored in the final innings against them. The relievers did a fair job, with Brian Cloud and Robert Kilcrease being the 2 that stood out the most.

On the offensive side, 3 players distinguished themselves from the pack. Roger Kieschnick hit .350 with 10 RBIs and 6 of his 7 hits going for extra bases. Jason Seefeld, a surprise starter after tearing his ACL in the fall, led the way with a .455 average and .625 OBP. Doug Thennis, Tech's leadoff man hit .353 with a .476 OBP. Another bright spot was Joey Kenworthy, not for his swinging, but rather his lack of swinging. Kenworthy led the team with 8 walks and 8 runs scored. As a team, Texas Tech was patient enough to draw 32 walks, which helped them to score their 38 runs on the weekend.

This weekend was good for Tech. They showcased pitching and hitting, and got that first weekend out of the way. They did struggle with the bullpen against Oral Roberts, but that is not something that should bother anyone too much, seeing as how only 2 pitchers of the 13 used (9 in relief) made multiple appearances, with 7 making their first appearances of their Tech career. Wednesday's game at New Mexico should be a good one for the Raider faithful if the team continues their strong hitting.

Texas completes sweep of VCU

Texas successfully swept VCU this weekend in their 3 game set. Friday's game was pretty good for a team's first game. Some players started off slow, except Preston Clark, who collected 4 RBIs on the day. The middle infield duo of newcomers Michael Torres and David Hernandez proved to be worth something. They both managed to lay down sacrifice bunts twice, and had some great defensive plays. The pitching was excellent, with Austin Wood striking out 6 over 6 innings of work. Brandon Workman and Kyle Walker both provided adequate relief pitching, combining for 5 strikeouts in the final 3 innings. Texas won the game 6-2.

Saturday was all about Texas. They scored a season high 17 runs (harr!) on 15 hits. Torres helped the effort with 5 RBIs in his second game in burnt orange. Belt got his first 4 hits of the season, with 2 doubles. The pitching was great, save for a bad inning by Keith Shinaberry, but Chance Ruffin came in and closed out the game for the Longhorns, and recorded his first career save (Texas was only up 4 when he entered). Kyle Russell hit his first home run with a long shot off the scoreboard in left center. That won't be the last one Kyle hits, either.

Sunday saw the triumphant returns of Kenn Kasparek and Riley Boening from injuries that kept them out of 2007. They combined for 8 k's in 7 innings, both giving up an unearned run. Kyle Russell continued to add to his offensive numbers, putting up 3 RBIs, while Jordan Danks hit a double and triple. Preston Clark took the day to rest, giving freshman Cameron Rupp his first start at catcher. Kyle Lusson started for Kevin Keyes in LF, after Keyes left Saturday's contest following a knock to the head from a VCU fastball.

So Texas is sitting well at 3-0. They didn't show any real weakness this weekend and never trailed the Rams. The offense looked impressive, and the pitching staff seemed to do almost everything right. If they continue their level of play, they won't have anything to worry about come playoff time.

Tuesday's game against UT-Pan American is set for a 3:15 start. Wednesday's was said to be 3:15, but might have been moved back to its originally scheduled time.

Big 12, day 3

Texas Tech defeated Army, 16-2, in San Antonio.

• Roger Kieschnick was 4-6 with 6 RBIs. Kieschnick's 4 hits included 2 doubles, a triple and a home run.
• Fr. SP Chad Bettis made his first career start, lasting 6 innings and giving up 1 earned run.
• 1B Doug Thennis was 3-4 with 3 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 doubles.

Texas Tech dropped their 2nd game to Oral Roberts, 7-6. Oral Roberts scored 3 runs with 2 outs in the 7th inning.

• Roger Kieschnick hit his 2nd home run of the day with a solo shot in the 5th.
• Chris Richburg connected on his first home run of the season, a 2-run blast, in the 3rd inning.
• Nathan Karns pitched 4 innings, striking out 7 batters and allowing only 2 hits. He also gave up 3 runs and walked 4.
  

#6 Texas defeated VCU, 10-2, completing their weekend sweep of the Rams.

• 5 Longhorns made their debut today. Cameron Rupp started at C for Preston Clark while Tant Shepherd, Kawika Emsley-Pai, Stayton Thomas and Marcus Tackett all subbed in during the contest.
• RF Kyle Russell finished the day 2-4 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs
• CF Jordan Danks went 2-4 with 2 runs, 1 RBI, a double and a triple.
• SP Kenn Kasparek made his season debut, striking out 5 batters in 5 innings of work.

Baylor outlasted Purdue, 2-1, sweeping the Boilermakers in Waco.

• RP Nick Cassavechia earned his 2nd save of the year.
• LF Ben Booker went 2-4 witha run

#20 Texas A&M defeated Northern Colorado, 5-2, splitting their 4 game series.

• 3B Dane Carter hit a 2-run home run in the 8th inning for the Aggies, their 2nd of the weekend.
• SP Scott Migl lasted 6.1 innings, giving up 2 runs and striking out 5 batters, improving his record to 1-0
• RP Travis Starling picked up his first save of the season.
• 2B Blake Stouffer is still searching for his 1st hit of the season. He is currently 0-12.

Kansas lost their first game to Hawaii-Hilo, 4-3. In game 2, Kansas answered with a 16-4 victory over the Vulcans.

Oklahoma State swept Gonzaga in a double header, 3-1 and 10-3.

Nebraska fell to Stanford, 4-2, in Palo Alto.

#17 Missouri outlasted tournament host Stetson, 9-5, in DeLand, Florida.

• Missouri SP Kyle Gibson earned his first win, striking out 10 batters in his 6 innings of work.
  

Oklahoma's game with #19 UCLA was cancelled due to rain.

Kansas State's game against California was cancelled due to rain.

BIG 12 STANDINGS

TEAM	W	L	WIN %	STREAK	LAST 10
Oklahoma State	3	0	1.000	W4	4-0
Baylor	3	0	1.000	W3	3-0
#17 Missouri	3	0	1.000	W3	3-0
#6 Texas	3	0	1.000	W3	3-0
#20 Texas A&M	2	2	.500	W1	2-2
Oklahoma	1	1	.500	W1	1-1
Kansas	2	3	.400	W1	2-3
Nebraska	1	2	.333	L1	1-2
Texas Tech	1	2	.333	L1	1-2
Kansas State	0	2	0.000	L2	0-2

Zach Thomas a Cowboy!

The Cowboys signed veteran LB and former Red Raider Zach Thomas to a one-year, $3 million deal on Saturday. Thomas played his first 12 years in Miami, reaching 7 Pro Bowls and recording the 2nd most tackles in NFL history.

DMN

Big 12, Day 2

Texas Tech lost to Louisiana-Lafayette 4-0 in San Antonio.

• Texas Tech was held to 1 hit for the game, a single by So. Taylor Ashby
• Jason Seefeld started the day as the Tech DH. Seefeld tore his ACL in fall practice, and wasn't expected back until later.
• SP AJ Ramos struck out 10 Cajuns over 6 innings, but picked up the loss.

#6 Texas defeated VCU 17-4.

• Jr. RF Kyle Russell hit his 1st home run of the season, and 39th of his career
• So. 1B Brandon Belt went 4-5 with 4 runs and 2 doubles
• So. 2B Michael Torres was 3-6 with 2 runs and 5 RBIs
• Fr. DH Kevin Keyes left the game in the 8th inning after being struck in the head by a fastball. It didn't appear to be a serious injury.
• Fr. SP Cole Green picked up the win in his first start of his career
• Fr. RP Chance Ruffin retired all 9 batters he faced, striking out 4, and earning the first save of his career.

#20 Texas A&M lost to Northern Colorado 3-1 in 7 innings of their first game of a double header.

• A&M SP Kyle Thebeau picked up the loss after throwing 5.1 innings and striking out 5. Thebeau gave up all 3 Northern Colorado runs.
• 1B Luke Anders finished the game 1 for 2 with a 3B and an RBI.
• Preseason All-American Blake Stouffer remains hitless through the first 2 games of the season. Stouffer is 0-4.

#20 Texas A&M was swept in a double header by Northern Colorado, losing the 2nd game 4-2.

• Blake Stouffer continued his season opening slump, going 0-4. He is now 0-8 in 3 games this season.
• Brian Ruggiano hit a solo home run for the Aggies, his first of the season
• SP Barret Loux struck out 9 batters in 5 innings during the first start of his career.
• RP Clayton Ehlert picked up the loss for A&M

#17 Missouri defeated Michigan State 14-9 at the Stetson Tournament in DeLand, Florida.

• Sr. DH Jacob Priday was 2-4 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs
• So. LF Aaron Senne was 1-3 with 3 runs, 1 RBI and a double.
• SP Rick Zagone struck out 7 batters over 4 innings of work
• Missouri's bullpen gave up 5 runs in 6 innings of work.

Oklahoma State defeated Gonzaga 12-2, improving their record to 2-0

• SS Jordy Mercer went 1-4 with 3 RBIs and 1 run
• 3B Matt Hague, a transfer from Washington, went 2-5 with 3 RBIs, 1 run and a 3B.
• LF Neil Medchill went 3-4, scoring 3 runs and batting in 2 more.
• SP Tyler Lyons picked up his first win, going 5 innings for the Cowboys

Kansas lost to Hawaii-Hilo 4-3, in Kona, Hawaii.

• CF Nick Faunce led the Jayhawks with 2 hits. He finished the game 2-3 with 2 runs.
• 1B Preston Land went 1-3 with 2 RBIs.

Hawaii-Hilo completed their sweep of Kansas today with a 12-4 victory.

• SS Erik Morrison was 2-5 in game 2, with 1 run
• CF Casey Larson was 1-4 with 2 RBIs
• RP Thomas Marcin struck out 3 batters in 2.1 innings of work.

Kansas State lost to Santa Clara 9-2 in the first game of a double header, the second game was postponed due to inclement weather. The game has yet to be rescheduled.

• Evan LeBlanc and Gabe Alcantar both had 3 RBIs for Santa Clara.
• 3B Nate Tenbrink hit his 1st home run of the year for the Wildcats.

Oklahoma lost to #19 UCLA, 7-5, in the bottom of the 9th.

• UCLA's Gabe Cohen hit a walk-off 2-run home run off OU's Jake McCarter in the 9th inning.
• OU 2B Mike Gosse finished the game 1-5 with a 2-run home run
• OU C JT Wise went 2-4 with 2 runs

Oklahoma defeated #19 UCLA, 3-2, to split the double header.

Baylor defeated Purdue 11-10 on a Ben Booker fielder's choice in the bottom of the 11th.

• 3B Shaver Hansen finished the contest 3-5 with 3 runs and 4 RBIs, including a Grand Slam
• CF Paul Miles was 3-6 with 1 run and 1 RBI
• SP Shawn Tolleson lasted only 2.1 innings in his first appearance for Baylor. Tolleson redshirted in 2007 after Tommy John surgery.
• RP Nick Cassavechia, a pre season All-American, gave up 1 hit and struck out 2 in 2 innings of relief work.

Stanford and Nebraska were scoreless in the 3rd inning when inclement weather forced the game to be suspended. The game will be continued tomorrow.

BIG 12 STANDINGS:

TEAM	W	L	WIN %	STREAK	LAST 10
Baylor	2	0	1.000	W2	2-0
#17 Missouri	2	0	1.000	W2	2-0
Oklahoma State	2	0	1.000	W2	2-0
#6 Texas	2	0	1.000	W2	2-0
Nebraska	1	1	.500	W1	1-1
Oklahoma	1	1	.333	W1	1-1
Kansas	1	2	.333	L2	1-2
#20 Texas A&M	1	2	.333	L2	1-2
Texas Tech	0	1	0.000	L1	0-1
Kansas State	0	2	0.000	L2	0-2

FORMER LONGHORN/RED RAIDER UPDATES

Josh Prince led off and played SS for Tulane. He finished 0-4

Michael Demperio led off and played 2B for Georgia against Arizona. He was 2-3 with 2 walks and a strikeout. He was 2-2 on steals.

Clint Stubbs started in RF for Louisiana Tech. He was 0-2 with a sacrifice in the 13-1 victory over McNeese State.

Geoff Byrns walked in his appearance as a pinch hitter for St. Mary's against Towson.