Longhorns Notebook: Offense Surges in Midweek Win Over Incarnate Word
When the Texas Longhorns dropped a weekend series to the Cal State Fullerton Titans, it was easy to see why some might question if they were a team capable of making it back to Omaha.
Now, though, it has been 16 days since a 5-4 loss against the Titans that dropped the Longhorns to 4-7 and they look like an entirely different team. Rather than look like a team that would scuffle into conference play the Longhorns are riding a major wave of momentum instead.
That momentum comes on the back of an impressive 11-game winning streak, with the most recent win coming in a 17-9 offensive slugfest in a midweek matchup against Incarnate Word.
No, the Longhorns have not faced the stiffest competition on their home stand so far but you can only play who is in front of you on the schedule.
With the start of conference now next up, here are three key takeaways from Texas' high-powered win over the Cardinals.
Power surge in Austin
After replacing seven of nine starters from a historic offense it was expected the Longhorns would take a step back in terms of offensive production. While the offense has taken a step back through the first part of the season, there was a 2022-esque power surge against the Cardinals on Tuesday.
The Longhorns recorded 17 runs on 15 hits, with five of those hits leaving the ballpark. Jack O'Dowd got the party started with a three-run home run in the first, while Garret Guillemette launched his first two home runs as a Longhorn - a massive solo home run in the third followed by an electric grand slam in the sixth.
Also joining in on the fun was Dylan Campbell and Porter Brown, who launched a solo and two-run home run in the fourth inning respectively. As Texas heads into conference play the bats are red hot, and are finding their footing in the power department.
Slight pitching hiccup
The pitching staff has been lights out for the Longhorns so far this season, with the rotation and bullpen shutting down opposing offenses. Once again on Tuesday that appeared would be the case as Charlie Hurley got the nod after dazzling in long relief out of the bullpen in his first eight appearances.
Hurley gave the Longhorns four innings of one-run baseball, with the lone hiccup coming on a leadoff home run for the Cardinals in the first. After that, though, he only allowed three more hits and struck out four as he continued to impress on the mound.
However, while Hurley was his usual stellar self, the bullpen after him struggled. The rest of the bullpen gave up 10 runs in eight innings on nine hits and an uninspiring seven walks. Rough games happen, but if the Longhorns want to compete in the Big 12 they'll need the bullpen to bounce back in strong fashion.
Garret Guillemette heating up
There was no shortage of offense for the Longhorns on Tuesday, but catcher Garret Guillemette stole the show in a big way. He entered the game against the Cardinals with eight extra base hits to his name, recording seven doubles and a triple. However, he had yet to leave the park.
Well, that changed in dramatic fashion after he launched a no-doubt solo home run in the third inning. He didn't stop there, either, as he would add a grand slam to his tally in the sixth and finish his night going 2-for-5 with five RBIs, with the two hits being his first two home runs as a Longhorn.
Following his display of power against the Cardinals Guillemette finds himself slashing an impressive .288/.398/.493 with 15 runs driven in. Guillemette continuing to get hot at the plate is big for the Longhorns, as he will be asked to serve as the anchor for the offense in the cleanup spot and be the catalyst that makes the engine go in conference play.
What's next for Texas?
The Longhorns finally wrap up their lengthy 14-game home stand this weekend, as they welcome the No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders to town to open conference play with a three-game series.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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